Amphitryon (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Plautus
- First Published: 185
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Farce
- Time of Work: Heroic Age
- Setting: Thebes
- Principal Characters: Amphitryon, Alcmena, Jupiter, Mercury, Sosia
- 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
The Story:
Amphitryon, a Theban, joined the army of Thebes to fight against the Teloboans. When he left for the wars, his wife Alcmena, daughter of Electryon, was pregnant. Nevertheless, in the absence of Amphitryon, Jupiter fell in love with Alcmena and decided that he must enjoy her favors. Disguising himself as Amphitryon, Jupiter appeared to Alcmena as her husband, just returned from a battle with the Teloboans. Alcmena was unable to recognize the impostor and welcomed Jupiter as her husband. Because Jupiter wished to enjoy Alcmena as long as possible, he had the sun, moon,...
[The entire page is 2163 words long]
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