The Braggart Soldier

The two plays by Plautus both entangle plots of love and lust with dramatically comedic outcomes. The Braggart Soldier is a superior comedy compared to Casina. The plot-line of The Braggart Soldier echoes with a very familiar tone and while reading I was reminded of the story The Princess Bride. The play is presented in a order that is the root of the formula for many romantic comedies today. The formula is: a bad guy steals the girl, the lover sets out to rescue the girl, the lover humiliates the bad guy, the lover and girl are reunited. Pleusicles and Philocomasium are a duo to root for throughout the story. Conversely, in Casina the lover meant to be with the girl is away for the majority of the action. Although Casina promotes the independence and hilarity of women outwitting men, The Braggart Soldier embodies the classic hero and hilarious companions for the audience to cheer on for success in the rescue of the damsel. The overall plot formulation is stronger than Casina with a clear path and purpose to the action.