Page "Plautus" Paragraph 101

As well as appearing in Shakespearean comedy, the Plautine parasite appears in one of the first English comedies.

In Ralph Roister Doister, the character of Matthew Merrygreeke follows in the tradition of both Plautine Parasite and Plautine slave, as he both searches and grovels for food and also attempts to achieve his master ’ s desires.

Indeed, the play itself is often seen as borrowing heavily from or even being based on the Plautine comedy Miles Gloriosus.