©Damen, 2009

Classical Drama and Theatre

The type of joke in this line, and repeated three more times in rapid succession, is called a para prosdokian ("against expectation") joke. In it, the speaker seems to be about to say one thing but suddenly turns and says the opposite. Here, the listener expects Mnesilochus to say "Her!" at the end of the line, but instead he says "Me!," showing how hopelessly in love he is.

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