Judicial rhetoric and theatrical program in the Prologues of Terence

Judicial rhetoric and theatrical program in the Prologues of Terence Public Deposited

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Dombrowski, Patrick James
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Classics

Abstract

This thesis offers a close examination of the language, form, and content of Terence's prologues and reveals how the playwright conceived of and constructed his art. Terence replaces the conventional expository prologue with one that uses judicial rhetoric and Roman legal procedure. He creates a courtroom atmosphere to construct his audience as a jury, whose critical detachment constitutes a unique form of Terentian metatheater. Terence exploits the audience's heightened state of awareness to relate his theories about the adaptation of plays for the Roman stage. Ultimately, the form and content of the prologues reveal Terence's theatrical program: that comic theater is a serious art and should be accessible to all. Chapter 1 places Terence in his generic and rhetorical context. Chapter 2 details the presence of judicial rhetoric in the prologues. Chapter 3 explores the effect of and intent behind Terence's innovations. Chapter 4 deals with the peculiarities of Hecyra.

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