Pseudolus — A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Character Profile

About Pseudolus

The cunning and deceitful slave of Senex who dreams of buying his freedom. He orchestrates a complex scheme to secure Philia for the naive Hero in exchange for his liberty, outsmarting the slave trader Marcus Lycus and the vain soldier Miles Gloriosus through blackmail, disguises, and elaborate lies. Ultimately succeeds in gaining his freedom and a wife.

Pseudolus — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Zero Mostel

Appears in

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (6)

• Pseudolus — Social Neighbor — Erronius (Buster Keaton)

  Erronius lives next door and eventually resolves the central conflict.

• Pseudolus — Conflict Target Of Deception — Miles Gloriosus (Leon Greene)

  Gloriosus is the primary victim of Pseudolus's schemes.

• Pseudolus — Alliance Blackmailed Accomplice — Hysterium (Jack Gilford)

  Hysterium is coerced into aiding Pseudolus's elaborate disguise plot.

• Pseudolus — Alliance Deceptive Partner — Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers)

  They form a temporary alliance based on mutual deception.

• Pseudolus — Power Owner — Senex (Michael Hordern)

  Senex holds legal ownership over Pseudolus.

• Pseudolus — Professional Master-Slave — Hero (Michael Crawford)

  Pseudolus serves Hero and negotiates his freedom through a romantic scheme.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

More characters from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

• Hysterium (Jack Gilford)
• Marcus Lycus (Phil Silvers)
• Erronius (Buster Keaton)
• Phillia (Annette Andre)
• Hero (Michael Crawford)
• Senex (Michael Hordern)
• Gladiator Instructor (Roy Kinnear)
• Miles Gloriosus (Leon Greene)
• Roman Chief Guard (John Bluthal)
• Gatekeeper (Alfie Bass)
• Slave Driver (Frank Thornton)
• Geminae #2 (Susan Baker)