Literature of antiquity and the Middle Ages - Summary - 2019
Self-persecutor
Publicity Terentius Afer (195-159 BC e)
Although he wrote Terence in Latin and for the Roman spectator, his characters bear Greek names and it is assumed that the action is often carried out in Hellas. So in this case too.
The harsh old man, Menedemos, duped the son of his Clinic for the passion of a poor neighboring girl that he was forced to escape from the parental home for military service.
But despite this, the son loves his father. Over time, Menedemos will repent. Torturing his son and tormenting with consternation, he decided to exhaust himself with continuous labor in the field. At the same time, Menedemos sells most of his slaves (they are now almost unnecessary to him), and much more: to return to the son, he wants to accumulate the sum of the incident.
Neighbor Khremet asks Menedema about the causes of his actions and, in particular, the fierce self-torture of hard labor. The reason for his interest in the affairs of the neighbor Crremet explains to the oppressed Menedemos as follows: "I am a man! / There is nothing human alien to me." This and many other phrases from the comedies Terence, over time, have become winged expressions, surviving in this capacity to this day.
Clinique is in love with the poor and honest Antiphila, and, unable to endure separation longer, secretly returns. But he did not go home (he was still frightened by the father's anger), but to his friend Clitophon, the son of Khremet.
And the Clitophon is fond of Bacchida's heterosexuality (which requires considerable expenses). Naturally, parents do not know about this passion of a non-empty son.
In a comedic intrigue, Cheese, the clever and clever slave of Khremet (he hopes for rewards), actively intervenes. Both men and Sir agree that they will bring Bacchus to the house of Hormet, giving it for the one that Clinique enthuses. That's what happens. In the role of the servant of the Bacchus is a modest Antiphile. And not only she: Bacchus arrives with a whole retinue of servants and slaves. And Hremet (thinking that this is a beloved Klein) feeds and feeds the whole herd. He finally tells Menedemos that his son was secretly back. The joy of an old father has no limit. For the sake of the returned son, he is now ready for everything: to accept not only his, but also the bride, whatever he is! Menedemos now became gentle and compliant.
Meanwhile, Sostrates, the mother of Clitophon, wife of Khremet, appears on stage. In the course of action, it suddenly turns out that Antiphila is the mother's daughter of Khremet. When she came to light (not by chance, probably), an annoyed father ordered Sostra to throw the child ...
Antiphyla was brought up by a virtuous old woman, giving her all the best qualities that she should have a decent girl. Parents happily recognize Antiphila as their daughter. There are also doubts about Clitophone, whether he is the son of his parents and whether they will love him as before. After all, the son-reveler deceivedly plunged his father into considerable expenses. But the Bacchide's hero finally turns out to be not so heartless and dissolved.
As a result, Khremet agrees to give out the newly found daughter for Clinique and gives her a decent dowry. Here, near, he finds himself worthy of a bride and for his nepoputevogo son. Happy Menedemos and his wife are happy Antifilas and Clinias. And the final words of Krement sound: "I agree! Well, goodbye! Clap!"