Source edition
Plautus. Plauti Comoediae, Volume 1. Leo, Friedrich, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1895.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a masterpiece of Roman comedy (tragicomedy) based on Greek mythology. Set in Thebes, the supreme god Jupiter disguises himself as the general Amphitryon, who is away at war, to visit his faithful wife Alcumena, while his messenger Mercury disguises himself as the slave Sosia to assist in his master's love affair. When the real Sosia and Amphitryon return home, they are confronted by their identical doubles, leading to a hilarious crisis of identity and a fierce marital dispute over suspected infidelity. The play vividly depicts the chaotic misunderstandings and confusion of mortal human beings manipulated by the whims of the gods. In the climax, Alcumena gives birth to twins, one of whom displays miraculous divine strength by slaying serpents. Finally, Jupiter himself appears to reveal the truth and reconcile with Amphitryon, bringing the dramatic complications to a peaceful and grand resolution.