What Happens

Plautus’ comedic play The Pot of Gold begins with a short prologue spoken by Euclio’s household god. This deity has been with Euclio’s family for generations, and he explains that Euclio’s grandfather hoarded and hid a pot of gold. The deity has revealed the location of the gold to Euclio because he wants to reward the devotion of the old man’s daughter, Phaedria. Phaedria is unwed but pregnant, and the deity wants Euclio to use the money to help her and ensure her marriage, but Euclio has other ideas.

As Act 1 opens, Euclio chases his servant Staphyla out of the house. He is terrified that she will discover and steal his pot of gold, and he must make sure it is safe. Staphyla has no idea why her master is acting so strangely, for she has done nothing to deserve his abuse. She is horribly concerned about the plight of her young mistress, Phaedria, too, and this old woman groans that she might as well “tie a rope around [her] neck and dangle [herself]” rather than suffer such misery.

Euclio checks his gold and tells Staphyla to return inside and lock all the doors. She is not to lend fire or water or utensils or open the door to anyone, even “Dame Fortune” herself. After she enters the house, Euclio groans to himself, “It’s agony having to leave the house, downright agony.” Yet he must go and see about a gift of two shillings that the director of the ward is to make. No one should even be allowed to suspect that he has any gold.

Why It Matters

The prologue and first act of The Pot of Gold set up the play’s conflict and introduce the paranoid protagonist, Euclio. Readers can already tell that the pot of gold is far from a blessing for this old man. In fact, it is much more of a curse. Euclio cannot bear to leave his house for fear that the gold will be stolen. All he can think of is how to keep it safe, not what good he can do with it.

Euclio’s concern for his money has made him overlook something else going on in his household, something much more important. His daughter has likely been raped and is pregnant, and he does not even know it. He is oblivious to her suffering because he is focused on himself and his gold.

This play was originally written in Latin around 200 BC, so readers might be surprised by how much they can relate to its themes and characters. Most people have experienced the strong desire to hold onto money or possessions so that they can understand, at least to a point, Euclio’s fear. Still others might sympathize with Phaedria and her plight.

At any rate, this first act of the play draws readers into the action. It is designed to lead them to reflect on the characters and their attitudes. Some may feel sympathy for Euclio (he certainly feels plenty of sympathy for himself), and others may feel disgust. Either way, they settle in to discover what happens and why this play is ultimately considered a comedy.