Description

The captivi and the mostellaria presents two Roman comedies that explore deception, identity, and familial relationships within the context of ancient society. The first play begins with a man troubled by the loss of one child and the captivity of another. Two prisoners, aiming to escape their conditions, exchange identities, setting in motion a plot that questions the definitions of freedom and servitude. This switch challenges the assumed social order and generates comedic tension rooted in manipulation and role reversal. The narrative uses this confusion to highlight the instability of titles like master and slave, as well as the absurdity of rigid societal structures. The humor emerges from misunderstandings, shifting loyalties, and the desperate ingenuity of those trapped by circumstance. The second play continues this tradition of theatrical farce, relying on sharp dialogue, rapid entrances and exits, and a rhythm of escalating complications to critique vanity, hypocrisy, and deception. Both stories reflect on the fragility of power and the persistence of human cunning, drawing laughter from the chaos that ensues when appearances fail to match reality.