The Braggart Soldier: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Braggart Soldier" features an array of colorful characters revolving around themes of deception, love, and the folly of pride. Central to the narrative is Pyrgopolinices, a boastful soldier who believes himself irresistible to women, leading him to abduct Philocomasium, a young Athenian girl. Her true love, Pleusicles, aided by his clever slave Palaestrio, devises an intricate plan to rescue her while outsmarting the braggart. Palaestrio's resourcefulness shines as he orchestrates the escape and creates distractions, including a ruse involving a courtesan impersonating Pyrgopolinices’ neighbor's wife. Additional characters, such as the comically oblivious Sceledrus and the well-meaning yet celibate Periplecomenus, contribute to the humor and complexity of the plot. Philocomasium stands out as a faithful partner, embodying loyalty despite her precarious situation. The interplay of these characters showcases a rich tapestry of human behavior, highlighting both the absurdities and intricacies of romantic pursuits. Overall, "The Braggart Soldier" presents a comedic yet insightful exploration of relationships and deceit, inviting readers to reflect on the various motivations driving its characters.
The Braggart Soldier: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Plautus
Genre: Play
Locale: Ephesus, in Asia Minor
Plot: Comedy
Time: Third century b.c.e.
Pyrgopolinices (pihr-goh-pol-ih-NI-sees), a vain and stupid braggart and professional soldier. Convinced that all women find him irresistible, he seizes a young Athenian girl, Philocomasium, and carries her off to his house in Ephesus. The slave of the girl's sweetheart is, by coincidence, also in the braggart's household. Pleusicles, the girl's lover, takes up residence in the house of an old man next door to Pyrgopolinices. Pleusicles and his slave, Palaestrio, plot to free the girl. Pyrgopolinices is convinced that the wife of his neighbor is in love with him. A courtesan, playing the part of the wife, tempts Pyrgopolinices and asks him to make room for her in his house. Philocomasium pretends, when Pyrgopolinices tries to send her away, that she is overcome with grief at having to leave him. To get rid of her, the brag-gart presents her with expensive gifts and allows Palaestrio to accompany her. That night, Pyrgopolinices is escorted into the house next door, where he expects to meet his latest conquest. Instead, he is soundly beaten by the servants of the house, who have been lying in wait for him.
Palaestrio (pa-LEES-tree-oh), Pleusicles' faithful slave. Hurrying by sea to inform his master that Philocomasium had been abducted, Palaestrio had been captured by pirates. His captors presented him to Pyrgopolinices. When Pleusicles arrives in Ephesus, Palaestrio contrives to dig a tunnel between the two houses so that the two lovers can meet. It is Palaestrio who takes the major part in directing the complicated scheme that frees Philocomasium and disgraces Pyrgopolinices.
Pleusicles (PLEW-sih-kleez), a young gentleman of Athens. After Pyrgopolinices has been convinced that the wife of his neighbor is in love with him, Pleusicles appears at the brag-gart's house in the disguise of a sailor. He introduces himself as an agent of Philocomasium's mother and escorts away both the girl and Palaestrio.
Periplecomenus (pehr-ih-pleh-KOH-meh-nuhs), the old gentleman who owns the house next to Pyrgopolinices, a bachelor who likes to discourse wittily on the joys of celibacy. Periplecomenus enthusiastically cooperates with the plot to reunite the two lovers.
Philocomasium (fihl-uh-koh-MAY-see-uhm), the girl kidnapped by Pyrgopolinices. She is modeled on the type of the “good courtesan.” Philocomasium is faithful to Pleusicles.
Sceledrus (SKEH-leh-druhs), the braggart's drunken slave. He accidentally sees Pleusicles and Philocomasium embracing. Before he can report this irregularity to Pyrgopolinices, Sceledrus is intercepted by Palaestrio, who convinces the latter that the girl he saw is Philocomasium's twin sister.
Acroteleutium (ak-ruh-teh-LEW-tee-uhm), a clever courtesan who impersonates Periplecomenus' wife. She is impudent and quite frank about her depravity.
Milphidippa (mihl-fih-DIH-puh), Acroteleutium's maid, who conducts the braggart into the trap set for him in Periplecomenus' house.
Artotrogus (ahrt-oh-TROH-guhs), Pyrgopolinices' parasite, to whom the braggart displays his vanity and stupidity.
Cario (KA-ree-oh), Periplecomenus' cook, who threatens to torture the braggart after he has been taken in the wrong house.
Lurcio (LUR-kee-oh), Pyrgopolinices' impudent slave boy.