On family and money in Plautus’ Asinaria

Abstract

The motor of the action in Asinaria is the circulation of money. We believe that through it, behaviors are defined, actions are orientated and the destiny of the characters of this comedy is determined. The aim of this paper is to analyze the family relationships between the senex, the matrona and the adulescens and their link with money in order to account for power relations. Through the circulation of money and the place in which each one is located with respect to it, it is possible to account for the power relations –subjection, domination, horizontality– that are established throughout the comedy. In some way, the lack, need or possession of money determines the interest in the preservation of the bonds that are laid and places the woman in a dominant position.