The Comedies of Terence / Literally Translated into English Prose, with Notes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22188

Title

The Comedies of Terence / Literally Translated into English Prose, with Notes

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Henry Thomas Riley's literal prose translation of Terence's comedies offers a faithful, accessible rendering of ancient Roman drama. This collection features plays like *The Fair Andrian* and *The Self-Tormentor*, exploring themes of love, family duty, and social stratification with enduring wit and emotional depth.

Summary up to 500 words

Henry Thomas Riley's prose translation of Terence's comedies presents a collection of Roman plays renowned for their refined style and intricate domestic plots. Set primarily in Athens, these narratives explore the tension between personal desire and social obligation, often involving slaves, courtesans, and meddling relatives. The volume includes *Andria* (The Fair Andrian), where a young man's secret love for a girl raised as a neighbor's child creates a web of mistaken identities and parental conflict, ultimately resolving in a happy union that restores family honor. In *Heautontimorumenos* (The Self-Tormentor), a father's harsh decision to send his son to war leads to the son's torment upon his return as he struggles with his father's changing moods and his own forbidden love. *Hecyra* (The Mother-in-Law) navigates the treacherous waters of a husband's past indiscretion and a secret pregnancy, leading to a reconciliation that saves both reputations when the wife is discovered to be the daughter of the man he wronged. Another play, *Phormio*, features a scheming parasite who resolves legal and financial disputes through clever manipulation. The stories are driven by intricate schemes involving well-meaning but interfering relatives, culminating in resolutions that emphasize forgiveness, the restoration of truth, and the triumph of love over rigid convention. Riley's translation adheres closely to the original Latin text, aiming to convey the author's meaning without the wild departures found in other versions. The narrative voice is often provided by a prologue speaker who defends the poet against critics and asks for a quiet reception. The tone balances humor derived from clever wordplay and situational irony with poignant moments of familial regret and joy, offering a faithful glimpse into the complex social dynamics of ancient Rome.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Drama