The Self-Tormentor: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Self-Tormentor" is a dramatic exploration of complex familial and romantic relationships, centered around themes of love, identity, and personal growth. The narrative features several key characters, including Antiphila, the daughter of Chremes and Sostrata, who navigates her hidden lineage and romantic entanglements with Clinia, her husband. Clinia, caught between his affection for Antiphila and the oppressive expectations of his father, Menedemus, embodies the struggle between duty and desire. Menedemus's severe parenting ultimately leads Clinia to seek solace in war, but upon realizing his mistakes, he grants permission for Clinia to marry Antiphila.
The story also highlights Clitipho, another son of Chremes, who is infatuated with the courtesan Bacchis. His journey reflects themes of redemption as he confronts the consequences of his actions and ultimately chooses a virtuous path. Supporting characters, such as the servants Syrus and Dromo, add depth to the unfolding drama. Overall, "The Self-Tormentor" provides rich insights into the characters' motivations and transformations, inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of love and the impact of societal expectations.
The Self-Tormentor: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Terence
Genre: Play
Locale: The countryside near Athens
Plot: Comedy
Time: Fourteenth century b.c.e.
Antiphila (an-TIH-feh-luh), the daughter of Chremes and Sostrata. Given, at birth, to a Corinthian woman, she grows up unknown to her parents. In love with Clinia, she lives with him as his wife. She becomes involved in a plot designed to assist Clitipho in his affair with the prostitute Bacchis, but he is finally persuaded to renounce his mistress. When Antiphila's identity becomes known, she receives permission to marry Clinia.
Clinia (KLIH-nee-uh), the son of Menedemus. In love with Antiphila but fearing the disapproval of his strict father, he lives with her as her husband. When his father discovers the affair, his harshness drives Clinia to the wars, from which he returns in secret because of his longing for Antiphila. Involved in a plot to aid his friend, Clitipho, in his infatuation for Bacchis, he learns of his father's regret over his former severity and receives Menedemus' permission to marry Antiphila.
Menedemus (meh-nuh-DEE-muhs), Clinia's father. Because of his unjust severity, he drives his son to the wars. Finally, seeing the error of his way, he repents of his harshness and grants permission for Clinia to marry Antiphila.
Clitipho (KLI-tih-foh), the son of Chremes and Sostrata. In love with the courtesan Bacchis, he becomes a party to a plot to deceive his father about the true state of affairs. Finally, when he is found out and threatened with disinheritance, he decides to mend his ways and marry a virtuous woman.
Chremes (KRAY-meez), an old Athenian, the father of Antiphila and Clitipho.
Sostrata (SOH-strah-tuh), his wife, the mother of Antiphila and Clitipho.
Bacchis (BA-kihs), a courtesan loved by Clitipho.
Syrus (SIH-ruhs) and Dromo (DROH-moh), Clitipho's servants.