The spectators of Roman Theatre : A Study of their Quality, Importance, and the Elements of their composition

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faculty of arts cairo university

Abstract

This research deals with the spectators of Roman theatre, and studies their quality, importance and the elements of which they consisted. Depending on a lot of textual internal evidences this research proves also that the word “spectators” is more suitable than the word “audience” for qualifying the theatre goers. This research affirms that without the spectators who watch the theatrical performances, the theatrical performances become useless. This research asserts also that women - alongside men - found their way to Roman theatre, and so, Plautus and Terence paid much attention to the female spectators through delineating the female typical characters, e.g. the matrons, the nurses and courtesans, As the majority of spectators was slaves, Plautus and Terence succeeded in delineating the typical character of slave, and so, the unjust social conditions of slaves in Roman society were indirectly criticized. So it was important to the Roman writers like Plautus who understood what happened in the history of Rome when the slaves revolted against their owners to solve this problem through his plays. He explained that slaves had their rights from their owners like the right of caring and protection.

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