Week 12

NOTE: It is very important that all of us show up for class this week. In Monday’s class, we will go through the timing of the Festival of Dionysus and all the practical details. Wednesday and Friday’s classes will be full run-throughs of the performances (details of which groups will be on when will be given in Monday’s class).

Preparation for Mon. May 1

1. Read Terence’s Brothers (the whole play, i.e. Mercier pp. 23-83). Also read the well-written introduction, which provides valuable background.

2. This comedy is quite unlike the other Roman comedies that we have read. Like Plautus’ Brothers Menaechmus, it is about two brothers. You should keep Plautus' play in the back of your mind as you read this one. Terence's Brothers is modeled on a play by the same name by Menander (Adelphoe in Greek), but much about this play is original to Terence. As we come to the end of the academic year, this play gives a great opportunity to think about the question of what constitutes the best education (of parents as well as sons and daughters). As you read the play, ask yourself what lessons the play teaches us. Below are a couple of questions to get us thinking:

(a) Look out for how the parenting principles of Demea and Micio fare in the play. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method as revealed by the play?

(b) What do you make of Demea’s about-turn in the final scene? Is it a genuine change of heart, or does Demea have some other agenda?

(c) Which factor is more important to character development, according to the play: nature or nurture?

Preparation for Wed. May 3

Dress Rehearsal 1: meet in Arboretum at the back of the Interpretive Center. If raining, meet in Alumni Hall. Please be prompt, bring your props and be in costume and ready to perform by 10:30AM. No scripts allowed (but bring a copy for me to use as your prompter if need be).

Preparation for Fri. May 5

Dress Rehearsal 2: meet in Arboretum at the back of the Interpretive Center. If raining, meet in Alumni Hall. Please be prompt, bring your props and be in costume and ready to perform by 10:30AM. No scripts allowed (but bring a copy for me to use as your prompter if need be).