'n Analise van pathosmomente in die Romeinse komedie

Abstract

In this treatise I have endeavoured to investigate whether and to which degree pathos is present in the Classic Roman comedies. I have examined in Explanatory and Etymological Dictionaries the basic meaning of the Greek word, "pathos". The etymology of the word is closely connected with the fundamental Greek meaning, which can be adequately expressed by the Latin word sufferre. Pathos in essence means that sympathy is felt with the suffering or pain of other human beings. The person from whom this feeling originates is subjectively concerned, in some or other way . Next I have examined which situations in life - and especially in the life of a superstitious nation - could cause deep feeling by fellow men. It seemed that death and isolation, marital problems, abduction with coherent problems and grief are pertinent on the foreground . In the Roman comedies the above-mentioned problems are skilfully interweaved. It might seem strange in a comedy, at first, but there is sufficient witness, that pathetic and comic aspects in life are closely interrelated, and in the same way in drama. Classical as well as modern writers stress this relations hip between serious and less serious aspects.