Please Read The Play Pseudolus Page 217 To The Star ✓ Solved

Please Read The Play Pseudolus Page 217 To The Star On Page 239 And

Please read the play Pseudolus from page 217 to page 239 and answer the following five questions:

1. Why does Pseudolus say he doesn't cry?
2. Balio, the slave owner, demands that the girls of his house bring back what presents from their clients?
3. In what ways does Balio suggest Calidorus, the love-sick young man, get the money to buy his love, Phoenicium?
4. What are some of the curses that Pseudolus and Calidorus call Balio?
5. What will happen to Pseudolus if he cannot get the money from his master, Simo?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The play "Pseudolus" by Plautus is a comic Latin comedy that explores themes of love, deception, and wit in ancient Rome. The selected excerpt from pages 217 to 239 encapsulates critical moments that reveal character motivations and plot developments, especially in relation to Pseudolus, Balio, Calidorus, and Simo. This analysis will answer the five questions based on the play's content, emphasizing character behavior, plot strategies, and thematic elements.

1. Why does Pseudolus say he doesn't cry?

Pseudolus claims he doesn't cry because he considers himself a crafty and unfeeling slave, capable of managing difficult situations with cunning rather than emotion. This assertion underscores his role as a clever trickster who relies on wit rather than sentimentality to navigate the complex social and romantic landscapes of the play. By denying tears, Pseudolus emphasizes his pragmatic approach, asserting that tears would undermine his reputation as a resourceful and unflappable character. Moreover, his statement serves as a humorous device, contrasting his outward bravado with the underlying manipulation that drives the plot.

2. Balio, the slave owner, demands that the girls of his house bring back what presents from their clients?

Balio, the merchant and slave owner, demands that the girls in his household bring back their "presents" from clients, specifically focusing on gifts or payments given in exchange for companionship or service. In the context of the play, these presents often take the form of valuable items such as money, jewelry, or other tokens of affection from their lovers or clients. Balio’s expectation reflects the transactional nature of relationships depicted in the play, where material possessions symbolize affection, status, or leverage. His demand underscores themes of greed and materialism prevalent in Roman society, as well as the commodification of personal interactions.

3. In what ways does Balio suggest Calidorus, the love-sick young man, get the money to buy his love, Phoenicium?

Balio suggests that Calidorus should obtain the money through various underhanded or opportunistic means, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to love and wealth. One of his suggestions includes borrowing money, possibly from friends or relatives, or manipulating others into lending him funds. He might also imply that Calidorus could resort to dishonest methods, such as theft or deception, to raise the necessary sum. Balio’s suggestions reveal his pragmatic, sometimes cynical attitude toward acquiring wealth, as well as his willingness to recommend morally questionable tactics if they serve the purpose of securing love.

4. What are some of the curses that Pseudolus and Calidorus call Balio?

In their frustration and anger towards Balio, Pseudolus and Calidorus employ humorous and exaggerated curses, reflecting their desperation. Common curses include wishing him bad luck, loss of wealth, or social disgrace. For example, they might curse him with blindness, being struck deaf or dumb, or losing his possessions. These curses symbolize their intense desire to see Balio suffer misfortune as a form of poetic justice for his greed and cunning manipulations. The curses serve both as comedic relief and as expressions of their thwarted love and frustration at not being able to secure Phoenicium.

5. What will happen to Pseudolus if he cannot get the money from his master, Simo?

If Pseudolus fails to secure the money from his master Simo, he risks severe punishment or loss of status. As a slave, Pseudolus’s freedom and safety are directly linked to his ability to fulfill his duties and to manipulate situations in favor of his interests. Failure might result in flogging, retribution, or being sold to a harsher master. Additionally, Pseudolus’s reputation as a clever and resourceful slave would suffer, jeopardizing his ability to maintain influence and maneuver within Roman society. The play underscores the importance of wit, resourcefulness, and the consequences of failure for slaves like Pseudolus in a rigid social hierarchy.

References

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