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Joseph Harris
Classics 38
5/20/2014
Pseudolus the Clever Slave
Throughout Pseudolus, Platus often utilizes monologues in order
to expand on the
story from Pseudolus point of view. As the play progresses, he
develops Pseudolus
character from what one may expect to be a normal slave into a
scheming mastermind.
From the beginning, with attention to detail, one can discern
that Pseudolus is not simply
an obedient slave, but has an entirely different angle to his
character, a clever one. This
can also be recognized by the fact that he is the only character
who displays recognition
of being in a play through meta-theatrical actions.
As defined in Slavery and Roman Literary Culture (Joshel, 222),
Slaves become
useful only when the can combine two contradictory attributes.
Pseudolus
contradictory attributes are his willingness to complete
Calidorusrequests, while at the
same time, his unwillingness to do so in any manner except his
own. He seems to do so
because his lack of freedom socially handicaps him, making him
realize that underhanded
scheming is the most efficient manner of finding a means to an
end. Platus exemplifies
Pseudolus cleverness in his monologues by illustrating that
Pseudolus isnt simply
getting lucky throughout the play but is actually manipulating
his luck and those around
him in order to reach his goals. A fine example of this is after
Harpax gives him the
sealed letter and from this Pseudolus devises a plan that will
result in him obtaining
possession of Phoenicium and a substantial sum of money,
especially for a slave (Platus,
243). In addition to Pseudolus means of reaching his goals, his
speech is also quite
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complex compared to the other characters, and at times it often
seems demeaning even
towards his superiors.
Pseudolus cleverness is also illustrated by his use of
meta-theatrical actions such
as recognizing the audience. While speaking to his superiors, he
will sometimes also
remind them that an audience is watching and the best plan of
action is one that best suits
the desires of the audience. This shows that Pseudolus
cleverness takes on a whole new
dimension by illustrating his constant awareness of the thoughts
of those around him,
even those that most characters do not recognize as being
present.
Pseudolus speeches relate strongly to comedys role in ancient
Roman society
because they often result in the connection of two frames of
reference, which would be
rare in reality. An example of this is his drunken monologue,
following his celebration of
taking Phoenicium from Ballio, where he states that being drunk
makes him feel like a
god. This would be ironically comedic to ancient Romans because
being a slave is about
as far from being a god that one can be.
Platus created a distinct form of comedy with the clever slave
because it was quite
unconventional for one to think that a slave can outsmart his
superiors.
