PLAUTUS – The Pot of Gold and Other Plays (Penguin Classic)

The Pot of Gold/The Prisoner/The Brothers Menaechmus

The Swaggering Soldier/Pseudolus
“Contentment, peace of mind, and sound sleep at night are worth more than a dozen pots of gold.”

One of the supreme comic writers of the Roman world, Plautus (c.254-184 sc) skilfully adapted close Greek comic models to the manner and custom of his day. This collection features a selection of his finest plays from the light-hearted comedy Pseudolus, in which the lovesick Calidotus tries to liberate his lover from her pimp to the more subversive The Prisoners, which roses questions from about the role of slavery. Also included are The Brothers Menaechmus, which formed the prototype for Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, and The Pot of Gold, whose old miser Euclio glorious study in avarice. Throughout Plautus breathes new, brilliant life into classic comic types including deceitful twins, scheming slaves, bitter old men and swaggering soldiers-creating an enter training critique of Roman life.

This edition, translated by E.F. Watling, recreates all of Plautus’ brood and lively humour, while the introductory notes precisely place each play in the context of its time.