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 ancient Roman comedy depicts the chaotic conflict between the young merchant Charinus and his elderly father, Demipho, over a beautiful enslaved woman. Returning from a trading voyage, Charinus brings back Pasicompsa, a beautiful girl he purchased abroad, but desperately tries to hide her from his father. However, Demipho spots her by chance and instantly falls in love with her, leading both father and son to scheme against each other to claim her under various pretexts. Demipho enlists the help of his neighbor to harbor her, which soon sparks a series of domestic misunderstandings and accusations of infidelity in the neighbor's household. Believing he has lost his lover forever, a despairing Charinus prepares to leave the country, but his friend discovers her location just in time. In the end, Demipho admits his foolishness, reconciles with his son, and the play concludes happily with a declaration securing the romantic rights of the youth.