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The Self-Tormentor
(Heautontimorumenos).
Comedy by Terence based on Menander's comedy of the same name. (163 B.C.)
When Chremes asks his neighbour Menedemus why he overtaxes himself with work, Menedemus explains that it is to punish himself for having interfered between his son Clinia, whom he has forced to become a soldier, and Clinia's mistress Antiphila. Now he regrets what he has done and strives to torment himself. Chremes returns home to find that Clinia, unaware of his father's feelings, is visiting Clitipho, Chremes's son. The two young men are planning reunions with their mistresses, but Clitipho, wishing to hide his love affair from his father, devises a plan for its concealment. Clitipho's mistress, the courtesan Bacchis, will come to Chremes's house posing as Clinia's mistress, and Antiphila will pose as Bacchis's servant. Clinia is thus reunited with Antiphila, but Clitipho finds that he must pay if he wishes to keep Bacchis.
Clitipho's slave Syrus plans to obtain money by telling Chremes that Antiphila may be set free if the debt incurred by her purchase is paid to Bacchis. It is discovered that Antiphila is Chremes's daughter, who was given away at birth, and Chremes gladly pays to set her free. Menedemus, delighted at his sons return, happily helps plan a wedding between Clinia and Antiphila. Chremes, however, discovers his son's deceit and decides to punish him by making his entire property Antiphila's dowry. Menedemus urges Chremes to relent, and finally Chremes agrees to do so but on condition that Clitipho marry. Clitipho reluctantly agrees and, with the aid of his mother, chooses a suitable wife.
(Sander M. Goldberg)