TERENCE Comedies 1854 Andria, Hecyra, Heauton Timorumenos, Eunuchus, Phormio

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Latin:

P. Terentii Afri Comœdiæ. Londini; Excudebat Carolus Whittingham; MDCCCLIV (1854).

English:

P. Terentius Afri Comedy. London; Printed by Charles Whittingham; MDCCCLIV (1854).

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P. Terentius Afri Comedy refers to the plays of Publius Terentius Afer, also known as Terence, a Roman playwright of the 2nd century BCE. The book is a collection of his six surviving comedies, namely: Andria, Hecyra, Heauton Timorumenos, Eunuchus, Phormio, and Adelphoe. Terence's plays were known for their subtle characterizations, social commentary, and humane treatment of themes such as love, friendship, and family. His works were highly influential on later Roman and European literature, and his influence can still be seen in modern plays and films.

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Andria was first performed in 166 BCE. The play centers around a young Athenian named Pamphilus who falls in love with a woman named Glycerium. However, Glycerium is a slave and her owner has promised her to another man. The play follows Pamphilus as he tries to find a way to be with Glycerium and navigate the various social and familial obstacles in their way.

Eunuchus revolves around a young man, Chaerea, who falls in love with a girl named Pamphila, but she is already betrothed to another man. To get close to her, Chaerea devises a plan to disguise himself as a eunuch and enter her household, which is overseen by an older eunuch named Parmeno. Meanwhile, Pamphila's father has also brought a eunuch named Pythias to manage his household. As the plot unfolds, mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and complications arise, leading to a series of comical events.

Heauton Timorumenos was first performed in 163 BCE and was one of Terence's most successful plays. The play tells the story of a father, Menedemus, who is obsessed with his son's behavior and becomes a "self-tormentor" in trying to control him. Menedemus sends his son, Clinia, away to avoid a scandal, but Clinia returns in disguise to win back his lover, Antiphila. Through a series of mistaken identities and misunderstandings, the characters eventually learn the truth and reconcile.

Adelphoe revolves around two brothers, Micio and Demea, who have different philosophies on raising their sons. Micio is lenient and permissive, while Demea is strict and conservative. The play explores the tension and conflict that arises when the two brothers clash over how to discipline and educate their sons.

Hecyra was first performed in 165 BC. The play revolves around the story of a man named Pamphilus, who has married a woman named Philumena against his mother's wishes. Pamphilus goes away on business and his mother convinces his friend, Chremes, to convince him to divorce Philumena. However, when Pamphilus returns, he finds out that Philumena has given birth to a child, which she claims is his. The rest of the play follows the characters' attempts to conceal the truth about the child's parentage, leading to a series of mistaken identities and comic misunderstandings.

Phormio, performed at the Megalesian Games in 161 BC, tells the story of Antipho's unplanned pregnancy with Phanium. When Phanium is married off to Phaedria, who is in love with another woman, Phaedria enlists the help of his resourceful friend Phormio. Through clever use of the law, Phormio tricks Demipho into admitting he married off his daughter against her will, allowing Phaedria to marry the woman he loves and ensure Phanium is cared for. The play ends happily for all characters involved.

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Size: 28.5 x 23 x 4 cm.

Condition: Very Good (VG+)

Text block extremely clean with very sporadic very minor foxing. Minor wear and rubbing to spine. Tooled labels present with minor scuffing. Both boards securely attached with minor wear to joints and hinges. Some scuffing, rubbing, scratches and marks on boards (refer to photos). Shelf wear. Shelf lean. Minor warping of boards. Some loss of page edge gilt with minor marks on top page edge. Pen inscription on preliminary. Light toning and minor foxing on endpapers. Light toning and very minor foxing on title page. Pen ownership inscription on dedication page. Very small pencil mark on half title 'Andria'.

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