Significant Scenes: Amphitryon

Question 1

Prologue

Answer 1

Mercury introduces idea of Tragicomedy, captatio benevolentiae, comedy of errors and confusion

Question 2

Messenger’s Speech

Answer 2

Sosia talks about Roman Iustum Bellum (Just War), what happens and how Amphitryon slays a Teleboan general in single combat and gains the Spolia Opima (Greatest Spoils), a golden drinking bowl, Mercury listening on the side

Question 3

Loss of Identity

Answer 3

Sosia just ran into, and was beaten up by, Mercury portraying Sosia and now he’s complaining that he doesn’t know who he is and is off to find his master, says if master doesn’t recognize him then he will be free (wear freedman’s cap)

Question 4

Jupiter Leaves Alcmena

Answer 4

Jupiter has sex with Alcmena (as Amphitryon) and then leaves because the soldiers can’t think he put his wife over his country, Mercury runs interference

Question 5

Alcmena’s Virtuous Monody

Answer 5

Alcmena presents herself to the audience as a virtuous woman by waiting for her husband to return from war and praises him as a hero