|
It's 100 BC in Rome. While Senex goes to visit his wife's mother in the country, slave Hysterium is put in charge of the house and guardianship of the morals of their son, Hero. The latter, however, has already fallen for a courtesan from the house next door. His own servant, Pseudolus, wants to be free and will do anything to achieve that status. It turns out that the girl is already paid for by Miles Gloriosus, a warrior. Pseudolus gets to work and puts it about that this virgin comes from Crete, where there's a plague; she could infect everyone! Let Pseudolus look after her. With Hero's help the virgin is moved into Senex's house. Senex returns unexpectedly and is mistaken for her new master by the virgin, Philia, now living there. Before long even piles on event and Pseudolus ends up impersonating Lycus as the real Miles turns up for his bride.
Miles is entertained in Senex's house, which he thinks is the courtesan house. Senex's wife now returns and suspects her husband of sexual shenanigans. Pseudolus has to convince Miles his bride is dead and persuades Hysterium to dress up as a corpse. Now for the burning pyre! Hysterium is not best pleased at this turn of events and immediately returns to life! By the end of the evening Miles and Philia are revealed as brother and sister, long-lost children of Erronius, Hero and Philia are together and Pseudolus has his freedom!
|
