The breadth and depth of the Roman
stage alone will not account for this either; indeed, its very size could
be utilized to heighten the humor, as the actor peers hither and yon in
every direction but the right one. So Curculio (front) may pass directly
by Phaedromus (rear) without seeing him, to the huge delight of the
audience, and turn back again, while saying (301 ff.):
"Is there anybody who can point out Phaedromus, my guardian angel, to me?
The matter's very urgent: I must find this chap at once.
PALINURUS. (_To Phaedromus._) It's you he's looking for.
PH. What do you say we speak to him? Hello, Curculio, I want you!
CUR. (_Stopping and again looking vainly round._) Who's calling? Who says
"Curculio"?
PH. Somebody that wants to see you.
CUR. (_At last recognizing him when almost on top of him._) Ah! You don't
want to see me any more than I want to see you."
Acanthio in _Mer._ 130 ff. is still more blind to the presence of Charinus
and raises a deal more fuss, as he enters in the wildest haste looking for
Charinus, who is of course in plain sight. Acanthio, with labored
breathing and the remark that he would never make a piper, probably passes
by Charinus and goes to the house.
"AC. What am I standing here for, anyway? I'll make splinters of these
doors without a single qualm. (_Hammers violently. Charinus approaches,
vainly trying to attract his attention.
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