Pseudolus (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Pseudolus (SEW-duh-luhs), Simo’s servant. When he learns that Calidorus’ slave- girl sweetheart, Phoenicium, is to be sold, Pseudolus promises to trick Simo out of enough money to purchase her. The slave brazenly tells Simo of his plan and goads the old man into promising to pay for the girl if Pseudolus can get her away from her owner, Ballio. By substituting Simia for the real messenger, the wily slave succeeds in duping Ballio and wins the slave girl for Calidorus free of charge.

Simo (SIH-moh), an Athenian gentleman, Calidorus’ father and Pseudolus’ owner. Forewarned by his clever servant, the tightfisted old man is tricked nevertheless, but his bet with Ballio keeps him from losing any money.

Ballio (BA-lee-oh), a procurer, the owner of Phoenicium. Although he has been warned by Simo, the hard-hearted procurer is tricked by clever Pseudolus; he loses his slave girl to Calidorus and twenty minae to Simo.

Calidorus (ka-lih-DOH-ruhs), the lovesick son of Simo.

Phoenicium (fee-NEE-see-uhm), Ballio’s slave girl and the sweetheart of Calidorus.

Harpax (HAHR-paks), the real messenger of the Macedonian officer who has made the initial payment for the purchase of Phoenicium.

Simia (SIH-mee-uh), the servant of one of Calidorus’ friends. He impersonates Harpax and tricks Ballio.

Bibliography:

Garton, Charles. “How Roscius Acted Ballio.” Personal Aspects of the Roman Theatre. Toronto: Hakkert, 1972. The most renowned actor of his day, Roscius played Ballio, instead of the lead role of Pseudolus. Refers to comments of Cicero and examines the role and how the actor appeared on stage.

Plautus, Titus Maccius. Pseudolus/Plautus. Edited by M. M. Wilcock. Bristol, England: Bristol Classical Press, 1987. Latin text with valuable introduction and commentary. Includes close plot analysis.

Segal, Erich. Roman Laughter: The Comedy of Plautus. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1968. Valuable study of Plautus’ work, setting social and cultural contexts for the plays and commenting on their appeal to Roman audiences.

Slater, Niall. Plautus in Performance: The Theatre of the Mind. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1985. Chapter on Pseudolus follows the evolution of Pseudolus’ scheme, which he concocts as he goes. Emphasizes the power of language through which Pseudolus, speaking for Plautus, constructs a metadrama (a play about making a play) by using theatrical metaphor and direct address to the audience.

Wright, John. “The Transformation of Pseudolus.” Transactions of the American Philological Association 104 (1974): 403-416. Reflects on problems with the play, including inconsistency over Calidorus’ awareness of the fact that his mistress has been sold by Ballio and the apparent weakness of Pseudolus as a fully developed character. Argues that Pseudolus is transformed by metaphoric language, being associated with such various roles as cook, teacher, and poet (playwright).