Keywords
palliata
Plautus
Curculio
the parasite
play within a play
the soldier
servus currens
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Abstract
At first glance, Curculio is no different from other Plautine parasites. However, the uniqueness of this character lies not so much in his characteristics as in the way Plautus uses him on stage. Curculio disguises himself as the soldier, and by playing the role of servus currens, he takes on the role of a slave. Moreover, by reporting offstage conversations, he doubles as some of the other characters in the comedy. Curculio’s stage movement and its influence on the comings and goings of the other characters make one look at this character as the author of the structure of the entire comedy. Moreover, his rants about bankers and pimps make him the porte-parole of Plautus himself.
References
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