Amphitryon (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Plautus
- First Published: 185
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Comedy
- Time of Work: Second century
- Setting: Thebes
- Genres: Drama, Farce, Comedy
- Subjects: Mythology or myths, Slavery or slaves, Mistaken or secret identity, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, Adultery, Gods or goddesses, Heroes or heroism, Greek or Roman times, Greece or Greek people, Impostors or imposture
- Locales: Greece, ancient, Thebes, ancient
Characters Discussed
Amphitryon (am-FIHT-ree-uhn), a Theban general. Having defeated his enemies, Amphitryon is eager to return to his home and his wife. When she says that she already has seen him, he first thinks her unfaithful or mad. Confronted by a man who looks like him and insists he is indeed Amphitryon, he begins to think that he himself has lost his mind. When he breaks down the door to his house, he is insulted by Mercury, who is disguised as Sosia, then rebuked by his wife, and finally confronted with someone who looks just like him. On his way to kill everyone...
[The entire page is 775 words long]
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