A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

The wiliest slave in Rome, Pseudolus is relentlessly optimistic and improvisational. He uses wit and trickery to outsmart his master, the slave-trader, and the threats of exposure. His schemes drive the plot and he pursues freedom with infectious energy.

Hero is Senex and Domina's naive son, irresistibly in love with Philia. He is earnest and impulsive, often guided more by affection than by prudence. His trust in Pseudolus's plan anchors the romance at the story's center.

Philia is the virtuous young woman destined for Miles Gloriosus, whose heart is captured by Hero. She navigates a web of deceit with grace, projecting dignity amid pressure. Her fate drives the central romance and unlocks the farce's twists.

Miles Gloriosus is the formidable Roman soldier whose arrival threatens Hero's plans. He embodies bravado and fatal appetite, yet his bluster is repeatedly undercut by the farce's tricks. His authority is repeatedly tested by Pseudolus's machinations.

Hysterium is Senex's anxious slave, a master of uneasy prop and comical panic. He becomes part of the disguises, often reluctantly going along with Pseudolus's schemes. His nerves and theatrical flair provide much of the play's mechanical humor.

Senex is the henpecked father who dreams of quiet dignity but is constantly embroiled in the chaos around him. His attempts at authority collide with his wife's manipulation and Pseudolus's plots. His stubbornness and vulnerability make him a foil to the cunning of the other characters.

Domina is the manipulative wife who seeks control and romance of her own, often misreading situations. She embodies vanity and social ambition, pressing others to fulfill her desires. Her schemes intersect with Pseudolus's, amplifying the farce.

Marcus Lycus is the sly slave trader whose wares drive much of the plot's deception. He thrives on selling as well as manipulating information to stay one step ahead of Pseudolus. His gallant showmanship underlines the market's capricious morality.

Gymnasia is a silent, formidable courtesan who becomes part of the comedy's central misdirection. She embodies strength and restraint, contrasting Philia's gentleness. Her involvement grows as the scheme unfolds and her role shifts with the changing plan.

Erronius is the long-absent neighbor who returns with a vacuum of time and comic misperception. His quest to reunite with his long-lost children provides a running gag and a surprising resolution. His perseverance adds a heartwarming thread to the farce.