Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight: Miles Gloriosus, Part II (Ad Navseam, Episode 220)
From Ad Navseam by Ad Navseam
May 19, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 227
About this episode
The episode explores the comedic elements of Plautine theater as characters navigate love and deception.
Will the clever slave Dexter (Palaestrio) succeed in outsmarting the self-absorbed, narcissistic, self-proclaimed war hero Major Blowhard (Pyrgopolynices), so that the mostly incompetent, lovable, lovelorn young man Nauticles (Pleusicles) can rescue the young girl he loves, Convivia (Philocomasium), from the Major's lecherous clutches in time, and spirit her back to Athens with possessions secured? Or, will it all fall apart due to a mere meddling monkey (Monkey) running along a rooftop, who gets spotted by dunderbrain Haplus (Sceledrus)? As the guys wrap up their first foray into Plautine comedy, tune in and find out. And, be sure to listen for the secret code word so you can win a free copy of the Berg & Parker translation of Plautus and Terence: Five Comedies, courtesy of Hackett, and thus grow your libaby. There's something for everyone!
People in this episode
Host: Ad Navseam
Topics covered
- Plautine comedy
- theater
- literature
- humor
- storytelling
Keywords
- Plautus
- comedy
- theater
- characters
- humor
- storyline
- adventure
Sponsors
Hackett
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Plautus and Terence: Five Comedies
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- H.I. Marrou’s A History of Education in Antiquity, Part XXII (Ad Navseam, Episode 221) · May 28, 2026 · 1h 9m
- The Plautus Thickens: Miles Gloriosus, Part I (Ad Navseam, Episode 219) · May 12, 2026 · 1h 3m
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