Amphitryon By Plautus Essay, Research Paper

The play Amphitryon, by Plautus, revolves around a small circle of characters.

The major roles in the play are those of Amphitryon, Jove, and Alcamena. Two

slightly lesser roles, though of equal importance, are those of Mercury and

Sosia. These two characters act as main intermediaries for their masters. This

is one of the similarities I found in their roles. However, I also found many

differences in these two characters. I believe the roles of Mercury and Sosia to

both be important ones, with similarities as well as differences, which can be

clearly seen in their relationships with their masters, the audience, and

Alcamena as well. I think that both Sosia and Mercury respect their masters.

Although in the beginning, both characters complain about being servants. Sosia

says, ?No easy job, this serving a millionaire; A rich man?s servant leads a

lousy life. All his nights and days it?s just a constant strife?(7). This

quote shows early in the play Sosia?s displeasure in being a servant. Mercury

complains about his service to Jove as well. When he hears Sosia complain he

states, ?Hey, I?m the one who should complain that way! Till Papa pressed me

into service today I?d no idea what slavery meant. Now, he?s been used to

being a slave.?(8). Despite these complaints about slavery, I think both of

them enjoy serving their masters but for different reasons. Early in the play

Sosia tells the audience of how his master ?led us like a wonder?(9). He

refers to the victory in battle Amphitryon had over the Thebans. I believe that

Sosia is rather proud of his service to Amphitryon and respects his master?s

nobility and bravery. Mercury also shows signs of respect for Jove, his master

and father. Mercury, the patron god of thieves, enjoys playing tricks and

causing mischief. I believe this to be the reason he enjoys helping his father

in this situation. Jove is playing one big joke on everyone, and Mercury likes

this very much. Of his father he says, ? A smooth operator, this one here. And

why not? He?s my father. Watch how he?s going to butter the girl up.?(25).

In different ways, I can see how Mercury and Sosia are very similar in respect

to their masters. Differences between Mercury and Sosia arise in their dealings

with the audience. I think that these characters’ monologues to the audience

give insight into their personality. Sosia?s dealings with the audience make

him out to be a coward as well as a fool. When Sosia hears Mercury talking of

harming someone coming his way, Sosia cowers to the audience and says, ?I?m

so scared, I?m numb all over!?(16). When Sosia gathers enough courage to

confront Mercury, the god easily convinces him that he is not himself. Sosia

says to the audience, ?He?s convinced me. I?ll have to find another

name!?(22). In almost all his dealings with the audience, Sosia is baffled and

dumb struck. The audience knows what is happening so Sosia is made out to be a

dumb character. Conversely, Mercury?s dealings with the audience show him to

be a cunning trickster. Being a god, Mercury has everything planned out and

reveals his plans to the audience. On scarring away Sosia, he says to the

audience, ?this job went off very nicely?(24). Mercury?s monologues to the

audience are almost like narration as he tells them what happens and what will

happen. Enjoying this chaos he helped create, he says to the audience: ?I?ll

get both of them all mixed up and drive them and Amphitryon?s whole household

crazy, until Father?s had enough of his inamorata. Then, when it?s all over,

they?ll all find out what happened, and Jove at the end will restore Alcamena

and her husband to their former married bliss?(24). In this quote, Mercury

basically describes the rest of the play to the audience; most of whom, I

believe already knew the story. Another difference between the characters of

Mercury and Sosia deals with each characters handling of Alcamena, wife of

Amphitryon. When Mercury acts as Sosia, he has minimal dealings with Alcamena. I

think his opinion towards her is amusement in the role she plays in his and his

father?s game. He says chuckling, ?Didn?t I tell you he?d do this? A

little buttering up, and he has the poor girl eating out of his hand?(26).

Amused by his father?s skill in seducing women, Mercury even tries to help.

When Jove gives Alcamena the gold cup as a gift Mercury says to her, ?Say

rather a wonderful gift as wonderful as the getter?(27). While Mercury treats

Alcamena with amusement, Sosia regards her sourly. He thinks she?s crazy

because he knows nothing of the tricks the gods are playing. At first he thinks

she?s gone crazy because she claims she?s seen him even though she hasn?t.

He says to Amphitryon, ?Don?t you understand? If you try to say no to a

madwoman, you?ll make the crazy thing crazier??(38). His being unaware of

the tricks, causes him to treats her rather crudely because he believes her to

be crazy. This is another main difference I see in the characters of Sosia and

Amphitryon. I believe that by examining the relationships of Mercury and Sosia

with other characters in the play, I was more able to clearly explore their

relationships. After examining these relations I believe that Mercury and Sosia

are indeed more different than they are alike. The reason for this could be that

one character has godly powers, but maybe not. Mercury seems to be just as

common and scheming as any man.

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