Assignment: Q. Give a critical analysis of "The Pot of Gold " .

Hi

Plautus' the pot of gold revolves around the theme of greed, cheapness, the narrowness of people's mind and how it can be Manipulated by a small amount of wealth. As the play progresses the author makes fun of people's characteristics and their mindset. It is a greek play which is adapted in latin. Like all classical drama the play is written in verse and it is a satire bringing out the anxiety that greed, avarice and miserliness produces.

A deity reveals a pot of gold to Euclio as a dowry he can use in the wedding of her daughter, Phaedria. As the play progresses it is shown how Euclio attempts to protect the gold by hiding it from the others. His trust dwindles and is suspicious of everyone around him that someone might steal the gold from him. He tries to maintain a farce poverty and decides on burying the pot of  gold in the woods. However it gets stolen by Lyconides' servant, Strobilus. Lyconides has a fondness with Phaedria who bears his child. Eventually Euclio gets his pot of gold and Lyconides gets Phaedria. Euclio gives his pot of gold to the newly wedded couple.

The play symbolizes a patriachal society where parents decides on their daughter's future husband and arranged marriage is prevalent. Dowry system is seen in the play where bridegroom receives a dowry from the parents. Euclio offers Phaedria in marriage to wealthy Megadrous ,only because he doesn't demand a dowry.

The practice of slave labor is seen throughout the play which was present in Rome in the early days. The salves were captured from  the losing side in a battle or maybe bought from other provinces. Salves were made to work is industries and also used to manage household chores and many other works. The exploitation of the slaves is what uplifted the roman economy.

The plot of the play has 2 sets of action which is very skillfully interwoven by the author, which are Euclio's attempt to protect the gold from getting stolen and Phaedria's marriage offer on the day she gave birth to Lyconides child. The pace of the play is swift and purposeful with each scene arising from the last with no digression. Plautus' keen use of comedy, his idiotic language, his punning with the keen sense of timing makes the reader visualize the whole play and also potrays his skill as a play writer.

Hope this helps