A scheme to reunite two young lovers and bring down an arrogant soldier drives Miles Gloriosus, the longest-surviving play by Roman playwright Titus Plautus. Pyrgopolynices, the play’s titular “braggart soldier”, has kidnapped Philocomasium, a young Athenian woman and lover of Pleusicles. Pyrgopolynices also kidnapped Pleusicles’ former slave, Palaestrio. Palaestrio and Pyrgopolynices’ neighbor, Periplectomenus, devise a scheme to trick Pyrgopolynices and free both Philocomasium and Palaestrio. This ensemble comedy is a fun exploration of ancient Roman theatre and comic stock characters: the cunning servant, the boastful soldier, the parasite, and the young lovers.
Miles Gloriosus guide sections
