Abstract (300 words maximum)
The Roman Comedic Structure of All’s Well That Ends Well
In our world today, we renown Shakespeare as one of the world’s greatest playwrights and we admire many of his comedic, tragic, and historic plays. As artists today, we dive into theater history to understand ancient theater culture and to make connections. The connection to be made here is between William Shakespeare and the ancient roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer. Originally from Carthage, Africa, Terence is the first roman playwright of african descent and is renowned for his use of elegant latin and comedic structure in his plays. What is interesting between these two playwrights, is that the same comedic structure used in Terence’s plays is found in many Shakespearians plays, especially All’s Well that Ends Well. The argument to be made is that playwrights who have inherently inspired the playwrights we highlight today, deserve more recognition. Since that’s the case, the question to explore is: “Is this Shakespearian work of art an inspiration of Terentius’ comedic structure?” By examining All’s Well that Ends Well, comparing it to Terence’s plays, and using articles to understand Terence’s relevancy in Shakespeare’s upbringing, we can decide if this was an inspired piece or an original. As artists today, it is important that we examine, validate, and remember figures such as Terence, who succeeded beyond all odds as a black man living in a predominately white roman society.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
COTA - Theatre and Performance Studies
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Thomas Fish
The Roman Comedic Structure of All's Well that End's Well
The Roman Comedic Structure of All’s Well That Ends Well
In our world today, we renown Shakespeare as one of the world’s greatest playwrights and we admire many of his comedic, tragic, and historic plays. As artists today, we dive into theater history to understand ancient theater culture and to make connections. The connection to be made here is between William Shakespeare and the ancient roman playwright Publius Terentius Afer. Originally from Carthage, Africa, Terence is the first roman playwright of african descent and is renowned for his use of elegant latin and comedic structure in his plays. What is interesting between these two playwrights, is that the same comedic structure used in Terence’s plays is found in many Shakespearians plays, especially All’s Well that Ends Well. The argument to be made is that playwrights who have inherently inspired the playwrights we highlight today, deserve more recognition. Since that’s the case, the question to explore is: “Is this Shakespearian work of art an inspiration of Terentius’ comedic structure?” By examining All’s Well that Ends Well, comparing it to Terence’s plays, and using articles to understand Terence’s relevancy in Shakespeare’s upbringing, we can decide if this was an inspired piece or an original. As artists today, it is important that we examine, validate, and remember figures such as Terence, who succeeded beyond all odds as a black man living in a predominately white roman society.