Andria (comedy) - Plot

Plot

Brief overview. Pamphilus has promised to wed Glycerium (the eponymous but unseen girl from Andros). His father had arranged for him to marry Philumena however following Pamphilus' behaviour at Chrysis' funeral, Chremes withdraws his permission to the union.

Wishing to publicly shame his son for his dalliance with a woman of low birth Simo pretends that not only will the match still go ahead but that it is scheduled for that same day. Pamphilus, on the advice of Davus, who has learnt of Simo's scheme, accepts the proposal willingly in order to wrong-foot his father. Simo however then persuades Chremes to again accede to giving his daughter away. This leaves Pamphilus in an awkward position as he has promised Chrysis on her death bed to protect Glycerium, Glycerium is pregnant with their son and finally his friend Charinus is in love with Philumena. Davus faces the three-way wrath of Pamphilus (for his advice), Charinus (for causing the loss of his beloved) and Simo (for double-dealing between him and his son).

The situation is saved by the fortuitous arrival of a stranger from Andros. He tells the protagonists that Glycerium was not Chrysis' natural sister. She had been left in her family's care when her uncle Phania, while searching for his lost brother, became shipwrecked on Andros and died. Chremes reveals that Phania was his brother and therefore he is Glycerium's true father. He gives Glycerium's hand in marriage to Pamphilus which leaves Philumena free to marry Charinus and absolves Davus from fault.