Source edition
Terence. Publii Terentii Comoediae Sex. Parry, Edward St. John, editor. London: Whittaker and Co.; George Bell, 1857.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This Roman comedy depicts the conflict and reconciliation between two fathers with contrasting educational philosophies and the two brothers they raised. Demea, a strict father, has raised his son Ctesipho strictly in the countryside, while his brother Micio has raised his nephew Aeschinus indulgently in the city. The plot begins when Aeschinus forcefully abducts a music-girl for the sake of his brother Ctesipho, who is secretly in love with her. This reckless act causes widespread misunderstandings and outrages Demea, especially when it is revealed that the seemingly virtuous Ctesipho is also involved in the debauchery. Ultimately, the misunderstandings are resolved, and Aeschinus is allowed to marry his pregnant sweetheart. Reflecting on his own harshness, Demea suddenly adopts an excessively generous persona, mockingly exposing Micio's laxity, and concludes the play by showing the true balance of love and guidance.