Phormio story
Phormio is a Latin comic play by the early Roman playwright Terence, based on a now lost play by Apollodorus of Carystus entitled Epidikazomenos ("The Claimant"). It is generally believed to be Terence's fourth play. It was first performed at the Ludi Romani of 161 BC. Structurally, Phormio is considered to be one of the best Roman comedies. The plot is set in Athens, and revolves around the love affairs of two young men, Phaedria and Antipho, who are cousins. Phaedria is in love with a harp- player called Pamphila, but doesn't have the money to buy her from her owner Dorio; Antipho wishes to marry a free but poor girl called Phanium, unaware that she is in fact Phaedria's half sister as the result of an affair between Phaedria's father Chremes and a Lemnian woman. By clever legal wrangling, Phormio manages to help both young men to obtain their wishes, and in addition extracts a large sum of money from the two fathers. Note: Inline page numbers refer to [1].
23 total · 1 choice · 8 major · 14 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| infatuation | choice | The plot revolves around the love affairs of two young men, Phaedria and Antipho. |
| brother and brother | major | The brothers Demipho and Chremes were busy meddling in their respective sons' love lives. |
| con artistry | major | The titular character Phormio orchestrated an audacious confidence trick played on Demipho, and extracted quite a bit of money on behalf of Phaedria. |
| family dispute | major | News of Chremes' past indiscretions stirred up trouble in his household. |
| father and son | major | Chremes and his son Phaedria. Demipho and his son Antipho. |
| husband and wife | major | Chremes and his wife Nausistrata. In particular, Nausistrata quarreled here and there with her bigamist husband, Chremes. |
| master and slave | major | The Athenian gentleman Demipho entrusted his slave Geta to keep Demipho's son Antipho out of trouble while Demipho was away. Antipho's household slave Geta assisted him in obtaining the woman of his desires. Much of the plot surrounded Phaedria trying to rustle up enough money to buy his love interest Pamphila from her owner Dorio. |
| mother and son | major | Nausistrata interceded on behalf of her son Phaedria. |
| uncle and nephew | major | Demipho and his nephew Phaedria. Chremes and his nephew Antipho. |
| arranged marriage | minor | Phormio questioned the origins of an Athenian law requiring female citizens to marry their nearest relative under certain circumstances. |