Introduction
This essay examines the prologue of *Aulularia* (The Pot of Gold), a Roman comedy by Titus Maccius Plautus, a playwright of the 3rd-2nd century BCE. The prologue, delivered by the household god Lar Familiaris, serves as an essential entryway into the play’s themes, characters, and narrative framework. This analysis aims to summarise the content of the prologue and explore its dramatic function, focusing on how Plautus establishes key themes such as avarice and divine influence. Additionally, it considers the prologue’s role in engaging the audience and setting the comedic tone. Drawing on scholarly interpretations, this essay offers a critical perspective on the text, acknowledging both its cultural context and its literary techniques.
Summary of the Prologue
The prologue of *Aulularia* is unique in that it is delivered by Lar Familiaris, the household god or spirit protector of the protagonist Euclio’s family. Lar Familiaris introduces himself as the guardian of the house and reveals a hidden pot of gold buried in the home by Euclio’s grandfather, a miserly figure who entrusted the treasure to the god’s care. The god explains that he has now allowed Euclio, a poor but equally miserly man, to discover the gold to facilitate a marriage for Euclio’s daughter, Phaedria, who is pregnant by a young man named Lyconides. This setup establishes the central conflict of the play: Euclio’s obsession with protecting his newfound wealth, which drives much of the comedic action. Lar Familiaris’s direct address to the audience also outlines the divine intervention at play, a motif common in ancient comedy (Barsby, 1999).
Analysis of Dramatic Function
The prologue serves several critical functions within the structure of *Aulularia*. Firstly, it operates as an expository device, providing essential background information about the characters and the central plot device—the pot of gold. By revealing the history of the treasure and Euclio’s discovery, Plautus ensures the audience understands the stakes from the outset. This direct communication, as Barsby (1999) notes, is typical of Roman comedy, where prologues often break the fourth wall to establish rapport with the audience.
Secondly, the choice of Lar Familiaris as the speaker introduces a supernatural element, highlighting the theme of divine influence. This not only reflects the Roman cultural belief in household gods but also sets a comedic tone by positioning the god as a knowing narrator who manipulates events for a morally positive outcome—Phaedria’s marriage. However, the神’s decision to grant Euclio the gold also ironically fuels the old man’s greed, creating tension and humour, as discussed by Moore (1998), who argues that this contradiction is central to Plautus’s critique of avarice.
Furthermore, the prologue prepares the audience for the moral and social commentary embedded in the play. Euclio’s obsession with wealth, foreshadowed by Lar Familiaris, critiques the destructive nature of greed—a theme arguably resonant in Roman society, where economic disparities were pronounced (Slater, 2000). The prologue thus acts as a lens through which to view the ensuing chaos, inviting limited critical reflection on human flaws.
Audience Engagement and Tone
Plautus’s use of a divine speaker also serves to engage the audience directly. Lar Familiaris’s conversational style, addressing spectators as if confiding in them, creates an immediate sense of intimacy. This technique, as Slater (2000) suggests, aligns with Plautus’s broader aim to entertain through familiarity and shared cultural references, such as the veneration of household gods. Indeed, the prologue’s lighthearted tone—evident in the god’s bemusement at human folly—sets the stage for the slapstick and misunderstandings that follow, ensuring the audience anticipates comedy rather than tragedy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the prologue of *Aulularia* is a skilfully crafted opening that serves multiple purposes: it provides narrative context, introduces key themes of greed and divine intervention, and establishes a comedic rapport with the audience. Through Lar Familiaris’s exposition, Plautus not only sets up the central conflict surrounding Euclio’s gold but also offers a subtle critique of avarice, reflective of broader Roman societal concerns. While the prologue’s directness limits critical depth, it effectively primes the audience for the play’s humour and moral undertones. Further study might explore how these initial themes manifest across the play, particularly in relation toRoman economic values, underscoring the prologue’s role as a foundational element of *Aulularia*’s enduring appeal in classical literature.
References
- Barsby, J. (1999) Plautus: The Pot of Gold and Other Plays. Penguin Classics.
- Moore, T. J. (1998) The Theater of Plautus: Playing to the Audience. University of Texas Press.
- Slater, N. W. (2000) Plautus in Performance: The Theatre of the Mind. Princeton University Press.
