The ideal single-volume introduction to the greatest masterpieces of
ancient comedy
From the fifth to the second century B.C., theatrical comedy flourished
in Greece and Rome. This new anthology brings together four essential
masterworks of the genre: Aristophanes' bold, imaginative The Birds;
Menander's The Girl from Samos, which explores popular contemporary
themes of mistaken identity and sexual misbehavior; and two later Roman
comic plays: Plautus's The Brothers Menaechmus, the inspiration for
Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors; and Terence's bawdy yet
sophisticated double love plot, The Eunuch. Together, these four plays
capture the genius of classical comedy for students, theatergoers,
actors, lovers of satire, and anyone interested in the ancient world.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of
classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700
titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works
throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the
series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and
notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as
up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.