The Captivi and the Mostellaria: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Captivi and the Mostellaria: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Captivi and the Mostellaria is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Plautus, Titus Maccius (-254–-184). The listed translation credits are Riley, Henry T. (Henry Thomas) (1816–1878).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Captivi and the Mostellaria" by Titus Maccius Plautus is a collection of two Roman plays that exemplifies the comedic aspects of ancient theater, likely written during the late 3rd century BC. The plays deal with themes such as mistaken identities, parental relationships, and the plight of captives, all while delivering humor through sharp dialogue and situational comedy. Key characters emerge: Hegio, the father desperate to rescue his son from captivity, and the captives, Philocrates and Tyndarus, who find themselves in a web of deception and exchange. The opening of the first play, "The Captivi," introduces the entangled narrative surrounding Hegio and his sons—one lost to slavery and the other a captive. The prologue establishes the backstory, where Philocrates and Tyndarus plot to swap identities in an attempt to manipulate their respective situations. As they navigate the complex roles of slaves and masters, the humor shines through in their schemes and the misunderstandings that arise. The interactions reveal a mix of desperation and cleverness among characters, setting the stage for further comedic exploits and illustrating the folly inherent in human endeavors.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Captivi and the Mostellaria
- Author credits: Plautus, Titus Maccius (-254–-184)
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: Riley, Henry T. (Henry Thomas) (1816–1878)
Catalogue subjects
- Latin drama (Comedy)
- Plautus, Titus Maccius -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Classics of Literature
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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