Wealth
Wealth (Ploutus; Plutus) Author: Aristophanes
First Performance: 388 BC, Athens
First English Translation: 1659
Genre: Greek com. in verse
Setting: A street in Athens, 4th c. bc
Cast: 9m, 3f, extras, chorus (m)
Chremylus has been to the oracle in Delphi to find out whether it makes sense to remain poor but honest, and the god Apollo tells him to follow the first person he encounters on leaving the oracle. He dutifully follows a blind beggar, who turns out to be the god of Wealth. Chremylus persuades Wealth to have his sight restored. Now Poverty appears, arguing that it is she who benefits humankind by making people more productive. She is sent on her way, but she says that she will return one day. After Wealth has been cured, Chremylus becomes hugely rich and soon receives a stream of visitors wanting...
[The entire page is 307 words long]
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