significance of the title in plautus "pot of gold"
Answers
Plautus’ The Pot of Gold (Aulularia) is the Latin adaptation of a Greek play. The action takes place on the streets of Athens, but the theme that the play highlights is Roman.
Significance of the title in Plautus "pot of gold":
It was the story of an old man Euclio who lived with his daughter Phaedra and his servant. Euclio was given a pot of gold by his ancestors. He wanted to preserve it initially but later become greedy and did anything for the "pot of gold". Phaedria was in love with Lyconides. Megadorus was the "uncle of Lyconides".
Megadorus is a wealthy man and even after knowing that Lyconides love Phaedria, he wants to marry Phaedria. Euclio agreed and said Megadorus that he will not give any dowry for her daughter. Once the wedding was arranged, Euclio realized that Megadorus wants the pot of gold and that why he wished to marry her daughter.
In the temple, Euclio hid the pot of gold. "Lyconides servant Strobilus" saw this and stole the "pot of gold". He then told it to Lyconides. Lyconides gave the pot of gold to Euclio who in turn agrees to the marriage between Lyconides and Phaedria. The importance of the story is that Earth can give us only what we need but cannot satisfy the greed.