Christopher Bungard

Lies, Lyres, and Laughter: Surplus Potential in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:15:47 PDT

This paper seeks to reevaluate scholarly responses to the laughter in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes. Using Zupančič's recent work on comedy, I argue that Hermes intentionally exploits surplus potentials that emerge from splits in the perceived unity and completeness of Zeus's cosmos. Through surpluses (a tortoise-lyre, a baby cattle rustler, a baby master of legal speech), Hermes is able to attain his place among the Olympians. The laughter of the audience is one final expression of this acceptance of Hermes and his potential.

Titus Maccius Plautus: Miles Gloriosus

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:06:34 PDT

Encyclopedia entry

Scripting a Deception: Rethinking the servus callidus in Miles Gloriosus

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 06:02:16 PDT

The Dangers of Theater in Miles Gloriosus

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 05:29:01 PDT

In Plautus’ early play Miles Gloriosus, the clever slave Palaestrio successfully deceives two main blocking characters, the slave Sceledrus and the soldier Pyrgopolynices. Though scholars tend to focus on the deception, I suggest that we need to take a closer look at the reactions of Sceledrus and Pyrgopolynices when they realize that they have been duped.

Review of Renato Raffaelli, Alba Tontini (ed.), Lecturae Plautinae Sarsinares XII. Miles gloriosus: (Sarsina, 27 settembre 2008). Ludus philologiae. Urbino: Edizioni QuattroVenti, 2009. Pp. 160. ISBN 9788839208729. €20.00 (pb).

Christopher Bungard — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:14:31 PDT

With its twelfth volume, the Lecturae Plautinae Sarsinates, directed by R. Raffaelli and A. Tontino, have continued their substantial contribution to Plautine scholarship, focusing this volume on Plautus’ Miles Gloriosus. For those interested in Vorbilder, Nachleben, and historical linguistics, the first four essays will be of interest. For those interested in interpretation of the play itself, the final three essays will be of interest, particularly the contributions of Stockert and Rafaelli.

Lies, Lyres, and Laughter in the Homeric Hymn to Hermes

Christopher Bungard — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:45:20 PST

With its flatulent hero, the Homeric Hymn to Hermes has long been a source of trouble for scholars. While early 20th century scholars dismissed the hymn as having no serious purpose, Clay (1989), Harrell (1991), and Johnston (2002) have discussed the acquisition of time or questions of cult practice as its purpose.

Pseudolus Revisited: Expanding the Role of the Servus Callidus

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:54:37 PDT

Note: Link is to the full abstract of this presentation on the conference web site.

Looking Toward the Future: The Work of noos in the Hymn to Hermes

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:41:19 PDT

Note: Link is to the full abstract of this presentation on the conference web site.

“Profiting From Manipulation: The Case of Lucrio in the Miles Gloriosus”

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:28:09 PDT

Note: Link is to the full abstract of this presentation on the conference web site.

The Merchant of Epidamnus: Identity and Menaechmus E

Christopher Bungard — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:22:20 PDT

Note: Link is to the full abstract of this presentation on the conference web site.