The runaway mother-in-law: women, poetry and humour in Hecyra

Author(s)

Aline da Silva Lazaro Bragion

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem
• Defense date: 2016-06-20

Examining board members

Isabella Tardin Cardoso; Robson Tadeu Cesila; Lilian Nunes da Costa

• Advisor: Isabella Tardin Cardoso

Abstract

This study analyzes the characterization of the female roles in Hecyra (The mother-in-law), an intriguing play by Terence (185-159 BC) that is not very much studied in Brazil. The annoted translation of the play, presented in this study, was the starting point for the analysis. A closer reading of the way the prologues narrate the previous attempts of staging the play itself has led to a less verbatim reading of those passages. The analysis of the first scenes privileged the way a central theme to the play is introduced: the conflicts between women and between genders (including sexual violence and misogyny). Special attention is given to the Terentian poetic language, to the presence of metatheatre as well as of characters and situations pertaining to the repertoire of the fabula palliata. Such an attention o Terentian poetry shows itself essential to the perception of laughable aspects in Hecyra (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/12723-0 - The runaway mother-in-law: women, poetry and humour in Hecyra
• Grantee: Aline da Silva Lazaro Bragion
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master