The Pot of Gold: an Intermediate Teaching Text

Abstract

My main goal for this SIP is to use it in an intermediate-level Latin class, in which students will already know, or at least have heard of, the grammatical terms that I have used in the comments. My hope is that students will be able to translate Plautus and understand it by using the Latin text, the commentary and only a Latin dictionary. This adaptation of the passage in the Aulularia is a good introduction to upper level Latin classes, in which students focus mainly on translation of original sources. I am hoping that students will learn to use this adaptation (looking at the grammar and cultural comments) and use this knowledge in future applications. In addition, I am hoping that students will get a grasp of Plautus' Archaic Latin, understanding, for example, that when Plautus writes 'avom,' in Classical Latin it would be 'avum.' Plautus also writes in colloquial, everyday Latin -by using contractions, 'edepol's, etc.-and it is important to understand the difference between colloquial and high literary Latin. Also, it is my plan that most questions regarding grammar and culture are anticipated by my comments, so that the students are able to work on the passage at home (without the help of a teacher). Also, since the grammar questions are already answered, the teacher can spend the class directly translating, instead of working on grammar and translating. Furthermore, I hope that the students understand the plot of the play, and most importantly that they find this passage humorous. This presence of humor is especially important, because it keeps the students interested and alert, which will help them understand the play better.