Stichus is a comedic Latin play by the early Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. According to a notice transmitted with the play, Stichus was first performed in 200 BC. The same notice informs us that it was adapted from the play Adelphoe by Menander.
Plot
In Athens, the two daughters of wealthy Antipho, Panegyris and Pamphila, are married to the brothers Epignomus and Pamphilippus. Due to mismanagement of their property, the two husbands became merchants to make money, and by the start of the play they have been away for more than two years. As no news has been received about their husbands' whereabouts, the women are encouraged by their father to remarry, but they refuse.
The slave boy Pinacium brings news to Panegyris that her husband has returned. When the brothers arrive, Antipho requests the gift of a female slave, after which they reconcile.
Part of the amusement of the comedy is in the attempts of the ever-hungry parasite Gelasimus to get an invitation to dinner; but he is continually rebuffed, first by the slaves Crocotium and Pinacium, then by Panegyris, and finally by both husbands.
Epignomus's slave Stichus is granted some wine and a day off to celebrate the homecoming. He and his friend Sagarinus/Sangarinus celebrate with their shared mistress, Stephanium. The play ends with a dance.
The stage set shows three houses, those of Antipho, Panegyris/Epignomus, and Pamphila/Pamphilippus. The action takes place in the street in front of the houses.
Metrical structure
The metrical scheme of the play is relatively simple. If A = iambic senarii, B = other metres, and C = trochaic septenarii, the scheme is as follows: BC, ABC, AC, ABC, AB
Unusually, the play starts with a polymetric song rather than the usual iambic senarii, and similarly ends with a polymetric song, instead of the expected trochaic septenarii.
The sisters' dilemma
Act 1.1 (1–47): polymetric songLines 1–23 are analysed by Wallace Lindsay (1922): Early Latin Verse, pp. 313–315; but differently by Cesare Questa (see Moore's Database). (47 lines) Panegyris and her younger sister Pamphila are complaining that their husbands have been away for more than two years, and their father is pressing them to remarry.
Act 1.2 (58–66): trochaic septenarii (9 lines) Their father Antipho comes from his house, scolding his slaves for laziness.
Act 1.2 (67): iambic octonarius (1 line) Antipho tells the slaves to call him from next door if he is needed.
Act 1.2 (68–154): trochaic septenarii (87 lines) Pamphila advises her sister that they should beg their father to allow them to wait for their absent husbands, but if he insists on their remarrying, they have to obey. Meanwhile Antipho debates with himself the best way of persuading his stubborn daughters. The sisters try to greet their father with a kiss, but he rejects their kiss. First he tests them by asking what sort of woman is best for him to marry, now that he is a widower. Then he tells them that his friends are advising him that he should make them both marry again. The sisters tell him, however, they would prefer to wait for their husbands to return.
When Antipho has gone, Panegyris calls through the door for her maid Crocotium: she wants to send her to fetch the parasite Gelasimus, so that Gelasimus can go to the harbour to see if there is any news.
Pinacium brings good news
Act 1.3 (155–273): iambic senarii (114 lines) Gelasimus arrives before being called; he complains how he is constantly hungry, and tells the audience that he is willing to pay for his meals with amusing conversation. Crocotium greets him and tells him that her mistress wishes to see him; but the mistress has no meal to offer him; on the contrary Crocotium thinks the mistress perhaps intends to borrow some corn from him. Crocotium goes inside while Gelasimus says he will come shortly.
Act 2.1 (274–308): iambo-trochaic polymetric song (mostly ia8) (35 lines) While Gelasimus watches, a young slave boy Pinacium arrives running, carrying a fishing basket. Pinacium is singing joyfully that he has good news for his mistress. He wonders whether he should wait for her to come out to honour him; but eventually he goes up to the door and knocks.
Act 2.1–2.2 (309–330): anapaestic song (22 lines) Pinacium knocks loudly on the door, but is frustrated when no one answers. Gelasimus asks him what he has in the basket, but Pinacium replies to him cheekily. At last Panegyris comes to the door and asks Gelasimus why he is knocking so loudly. She hears Pinacium's voice but can't see him at first.