Whereas the puella within the Plautus is the object out of men close focus and you will relationships so you can this lady are a much needed-immediately after purpose, the new matrona is fairly several other amount. New pseudo-fiance from the Casina is actually tutored from the female of your own home as she actually is brought up over the tolerance on bridal ceremony. To be a successful matrona , she need certainly to unlearn this lady maiden virtues; it advise this lady so you can winnings imperium , otherwise pure stamina, more than their partner, so that this lady voice be read, to take the brand new clothing regarding their back, and end up being tricky day and night.
With few exclusions, this new comedic matrona is actually a keen unsympathetic shape at best. She functions as an interest having farcical comic action and you may a danger of heartbreaking con- sequences, such as the leno (pimp) and danista (money-lender).
Let us start with lookin first during the selection of women who’re exclusions on the negative portrayal of one’s spouse into the Plautus. They have a tendency as more severe figures and also to play a smaller character regarding the gamble. If the matrona features regarding the area primarily as the a mother and in case the girl partner is not involved in their as a result, the brand new shrewish matrona label try overlooked. Eunomia, that is viewed as an alternative as the an aunt and you may mom than an effective girlfriend regarding the Aulularia , is a good example, because are Phanostrata about Cistellaria and Philippa about Epidicus . The latter was solitary elderly women that, that have for each been raped because the an earlier virgin, drill and lost a girl, to have just who he or she is looking. Ironically, both rapists are now actually eager to wed the particular sufferers and promote its thrown members of the family together. Even though in the beginning she does not apparently easily fit in this category, Myrrhina regarding Casina is additionally a girlfriend of this kind. The latest comical plot needs the lady to be as an alternative a good friend in order to the woman neighbors, Cleostrata, rather than relate genuinely to their husband. Actually, Myrrhina recommends the lady friend so you’re able to comply with the standard make of the Roman girlfriend. She declares that a spouse is thankful into coverage provided by the home, goods, and you can updates out of the lady partner, you to definitely she would be morigera , or certified together partner’s desires, which she will be neglect her partner’s infidelities. Though she has recently mouthed this type of conventions, Myrrhina is very easily persuaded to join Cleostrata’s assault on her husband’s lechery.
One of several spouses who’re exclusions towards label I additionally put Panegyris and her aunt, the two steadfast wives of one’s Stichus . I see him or her, inside their father’s terms and conditions, while the widows, since the sisters bringing service per other when you look at the adversity, so when acquiescent girl, carefully however, firmly reverse their father’s wishes which they dump its husbands? domestic and you may go back to your to help you remarry. The fresh new play examines the newest primal potestas , otherwise strength, of your own dad, and that their daughters are https://datingmentor.org/nl/scruff-overzicht/ permitted to govern which have rips and you will pleas. During the one point regarding the gamble, the daddy, who would like to choose a unique spouse, requires his daughters to describe to possess him this new optimae matronae mores , the character of the best type of girlfriend. It establish because best kind of spouse person who offers zero factor in rumors, who has got the advantage doing incorrect but decides not to, just who prevents choices she’ll feel dissapointed about a day later, and you may that knows by herself and that’s cheerful and diligent in a luck and you can adversity. Even as we have experienced, these types of virtues do not address the brand new criticisms that comic senex hurls during the his partner. For Panegyris along with her brother, on the brand new come back of the husbands in the center of brand new gamble, it log off new phase and are also not witnessed again. Because the spot does not require these to manage their husbands, we come across them mostly as the virtuous daughters, and not due to the fact matronae . Nevertheless, one to returning partner complains from their wife’s mismanagement of the points while in the his lack and you may each other people spend more time and their father- in-law than with the wives, a yes sign that even its small, devoted, and you may dutiful conclusion will not replace the proven fact that these ladies are matronae and that inherently unsightly on their husbands.