THE DRAMATIC VALUES IN PLAUTUS

Let us illustrate these points by typical passages and endeavor
to insert such stage-directions as would indicate how the most
telling effects could be produced and hence aid the reader in visualizing
the actual performance.
I
MACHINERY CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LOWER TYPES OF MODERN
DRAMA
A. Devices self-evident from the text.
'0., Bombast and mock-heroics. .
lhia little difficult to sublimate this entirely from burlesque,
but its true nature is instanced by the opening lines of the Miles,
where the vainglorious Pyrgopolinices, with many a sweep and
strut, addresses his attendants, who are probably staggering under
the weight of an enormous shield :
"Have a care that the effulgence of my shield be brighter than
e'er the sun's rays in a cloudless sky : when the time for action
comes and the battle's on, I intend it shall dazzle the eyesight 0'
m' foes. (Patting his sword) . Verily I would condole with this m'
sword, lest he lament and be cast down in spirit, forasmuch as now
full long hath he hung idle by m' side, thirsting, poor lad, to meet.
his fellow 'mongst the foe," and so on.
In line with this, a simulation of the military is a favorite
device. So we find Pseudolus addressing the audience in ringing
blustering tones and with grandiose gesture (Ps. 584 ff.) :
"It now becomes my aim today to lay siege to this town and
capture it." (BaHio the procurer is the town). "I shall hurl all
my legions against it. If I take it, good luck to you,
my citizens, for part of the booty shall be yours."
This finds a close counterpart in the Mil. 219 ff., a passage
which West1 thinks was deliberately inserted, to rouse the populace
into demanding that Scipio be at once despatched to Africa.
Periplecomenus is urging Palaestrio to find · a stratagem.
Actually he probably addresses the pit :
"Don't you see that the enemy are upon you and investing your
rear? Call a council of war, reach out for stores and reinforcements
in this crisis : haste, haste, no time to waste ! Make a
detour through some pass, forestall your foes, beleaguer them,
protect our troops! Cut off the enemy's base of supplies !" etc.
lA. J. P. VIII. IS If.
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