Coqui Plautinos: el cuerpo subalterno como amenaza

Abstract

This paper examines some characteristics of the coquus mask in the
plautine corpus. First, we study how this character, from references to
physical punishment and sexual passivity, is built as a subordinate body to
the service of others. Then, we consider his appearances as a thief and a
provider of bodily pleasures. We propose that the way cooks are represented
in Plautus’ palliata shows us the link established by Republican axiology
between subaltern social actors, body and threat to mores maiorum.