Since ancient times, people say or do something with an eye on the opinions of others. They are concerned about public opinion, this is especially noticeable in our time. With the development of technology and the emergence of social networks, when there are more opportunities to monitor the lives of others, each individual tries to adapt to certain established standards, thinking that he will receive condemnation from the public if he stands out. But, as we know, everyone cannot be pleased. And this phenomenon is very correctly and accurately describes the quote: "How many people, so many opinions." Whose she is, do you know?
Famous phrase
The author of the phrase "How many people, so many opinions" is Publius Terence Afr. This man was an ancient Roman playwright and comedian from Carthage. He later settled in Rome with Senator Terence Lucan as his slave. Thanks to his mind, he stood out from the crowd of the same slaves. Terence Lucan noticed the gifted young man and took care of his education. Subsequently, Publius Terence received freedom.
Life Story Publius Terence
We have already figured out who said "How many people, so many opinions" is a popular phrase today. Now let's study the biography of this ingenious playwright.
Terence, whose expression "How many people, so many opinions" gained popularity, was born in 195 BC, and died in 159 BC. His biography came to us thanks to the life story of Publius written by Suetonius in ancient times. The nickname of Afr suggests that he was from African or Libyan tribes. Although Terence was a slave, he managed to enter the upper strata of society of that time. He made friends with Scipio Jr. and entered the circle he created, which was aimed at making the noble speech and mores of the Romans more noble. Popular politicians, poets, writers attended this meeting, they were united by a common goal - to make the Latin language more elegant. Terence found patrons there who had tempted him to write comedies.
Best of all, Publius obtained contamination-composition, either based on two plays of a writer, or several authors. He used the works of Greek authors Apollonius of Athens and Menander. In the years 166-160 BC, using the plots of the Attic comedy, he created six plays: "The Girl from Andros", "Self-Torture", "Eunuch", "Brothers" - these are the changed works of Menander; "Mother-in-law" and "Formion" are the works of Apollonius of Athens. In the new plays created, the author of “How Many People, So Many Opinions” refused to mix Roman and Greek features, as well as too crude and harsh comic book than Plawt sinned.
Although Terence used contamination in his plays, the plot line develops sequentially, psychologically clearly defined characters contrast with traditional ones. It should also be mentioned that Publius Terence had a huge impact on the ancient Roman comedy-tohatu.
All the works of Terence were not lost in time, they survived (which is very rare), given the year of their writing. Also, his writings were taught and disassembled during his lifetime in schools.
Terence died in 159 BC. It is believed that he died in a shipwreck on his way to Greece.
Comedy Terence
Terence - the one who said "how many people, so many opinions" - wrote magnificent plays. His works differed from comedies of that time by a small number of songs and dances. Jokes and puns were also minimized. Publius did not exaggerate human shortcomings and ridiculous situations to make the audience laugh, he used "meaningful" laughter, like Menander. Terence accurately painted the plot of the picture, the characters' characters. Unlike Plavt - also a comedian - he did not force his heroes to deceive each other. His idea was that his characters did not immediately recognize each other, everything that happened only happened at the end of the play.
The fathers of the protagonists of the plays of Publius are much smarter and more intelligent, and if they misunderstand something, then everything becomes normal. So it was in his plays "Mother-in-law", "Brothers", "Formion". In the comedy "Eunuch" the heroine Fayda - a girl of easy virtue, he makes a noble woman, like Bacchid in the play "Mother in Law".
Terence uses the dual plot technique in his works. That is, there is an interweaving of two love lines, usually relatives, while the happy outcome of each couple depends on the other. This technique is used by Terence in every play except Mother-in-law.
In his prologues to plays, Publius Terence did not reveal the plot, as Plavt did, but rather defended his heroes. The playwright did not use the Italian flavor, he leaned more towards Greek than Roman art. That is, Terence tried not to depart from the given plot and mood of the Greek original.
In the play "Brothers", the comedian shows two completely opposite methods of raising children, as well as their future life. Aeschine, the son of Demea, Mikion adopted and raised in affection, and the second son - Ctesiphon - Demei raised independently, in severity. This play tells about the love adventures of Ctesiphon and Aeschinus. Aeschine abducts a slave girl with whom his brother Ctesiphon is in love. The mother of the slave and Demea thinks that Aeschine himself likes it, but in the future the misunderstanding is clarified and Demea wins the love and affection of both her sons.
Latin
In Latin, the expression “How many people, so many opinions” will be “Quot capĭta, tot sensūs”. Transcription [Quota of capital, that senses]. Now you know not only who said "How many people, so many opinions," but also its Latin counterpart.
Comedy "Formion"
Formion is a parasite who helps two cousins to sort out love. He helps his first brother marry a girl he loves dearly. The father of another brother wanted to marry his daughter as a nephew, and when he learned that he was already married, he decided to upset the marriage. Formion, who had cunningly received money from this father, bought the slave whom the other brother loved. In this comedy, there is a rather complicated plot and confusion of the main characters.
Conclusion
Now you know the biography and interesting facts from the biography of the one who said "How many people, so many opinions." This truly brilliant man has proved that thanks to his mind you can climb to the top of the world and leave your mark on history.