The Self-Tormentor by Terence. Short summary

5 seconds

Clinius falls in love with a dateless girl, incurring the wrath of Father Menedemus. The young man departs. Menedem tortures himself with his work. Clinius returns secretly. It transpires that his sweetheart is the daughter of a neighbor.

1 minute

Clinius falls in love with the rentless Antiphila, incurring the wrath of Menedeme´s father. In the heat of the quarrel the young man decides to go to another town to earn his living. Menedemus, when he cooled down, repented of having allowed his son to leave, but his pride prevented him from writing the letter.

Menedem sold slaves and began to do the dirtiest labor. When asked by his neighbor Hremet, he replied that this was his way of punishing himself. Besides, fatigue allows him to forget his longing for his son.

Clinius returns secretly to the city and settles in with Clement, whose son Clytophon has been his friend since childhood. Clythophon is fascinated by the hetaera Bacchida, which his father does not like. A resourceful servant, Cyrus, helps the young men to meet their beloved. Bacchida enters the house of Chremetus as the bride of Clinius, and among her servants is Antiphila.

Clythophon’s mother recognizes Antiphila as her lost daughter. The girl immediately transforms into a rich bride. Menedem discovers her son has returned. Clitophonius marries Antiphila.

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