Roman Theater and Comedy: Plautus and Terence

Roman Theater: Origins and Characteristics

Theater emerged in Rome after the epic period and just before the lyric period. Although several theatrical genres were cultivated, comedy was the most triumphant. Representative authors of Roman comedy include Plautus and Terence.

Roman Comedy: Influences and Types

Roman comedy draws heavily on Greek comedy, adapting themes and character types to Roman customs. Different types of comedy include:

• Fabula Palliata: Characterized by a Greek setting. Actors wore the Greek costume, called pallium in Rome.
• Fabula Togata: Featured a Roman setting and characters dressed in the Roman toga.

Plays could be classified as:

• Motoriae (busy)
• Statariae (calmer)
• Mixtae (a combination of both)

Plautus: Master of Roman Comedy

Plautus was the most famous and prolific playwright of his time. His comedies are mainly motoriae and pallitae. His primary objective was to elicit laughter from the audience, placing characters in situations that caused amusement.

Plautus did not merely copy or imitate the Greeks; his work is open to improvisational comedy and reflects Roman customs and speech, often mimicking popular language. He presents a middle-class society driven by passions and desires. Recurring themes include:

• A young man from a wealthy family falls in love with a slave of unknown origin.
• A wily slave helps the young man in his love affairs.
• Unexpected events reveal the slave's freeborn status.

Plautus's comedies are dominated by intrigue and plot. His characters are often recurring types, such as:

• Thoughtless maidens who only think of marriage.
• Despicable fathers.
• Former slaves with a propensity to return to their old tricks.
• Intolerant children.
• Smart and virtuous matrons.
• Slaves who help their young masters in love affairs while enduring torture.
• Pimps.

Twenty-one of Plautus's comedies have survived, including Aulularia, Captivi, Miles Gloriosus, Pseudolus, Media, and Cistellaria.

Parts of the Roman Theater

Initially, theaters were built of timber. Only in 52 BC did Pompey erect the first stone theater in Rome. Unlike Greek models, Roman theaters rose above ground level and possessed several floors.

Roman architects reduced the orchestra to a semicircle, and performances were presented on a raised platform (pulpitum) in front of the former proscenium, which is the origin of modern stages.

Key features of the Roman theater include:

• Orchestra: A semicircular space for seating important characters (who did not act there).
• Cavea: Bleachers divided into three parts:
  • Ima (lowest): Where senators and nobility sat.
  • Media (middle): For ordinary people.
  • Summa (top): For women and slaves.
• Parodos: Covered walkways providing access to the orchestra.
• Boxes: Located above the parodos for authorities.
• Proscenium: A 1.50m platform where the actors performed. It evolved after the orchestra, distinguishing itself with:
  1. Pulpitum: A wooden floorboard for the performance.
  2. Frons Scaenae: A monumental facade of several floors, serving as a backdrop. It was usually covered by a wooden ceiling and played an acoustic role.