There are many similarities between the ancient comedy The Brothers by Terence and the song I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders, in that they speak of standing by a loved one despite their flaws and failures. In the ancient text, Micio talks about the bad and difficult habits of his adopted son, Aeschinus, who has “treated me pretty badly over this” and that “He has been the round of the whores, and they’ve all cost money” (pg 345, ln12-14). Although Micio disapproves of Aeschinus’s actions and decisions, he decides to support him in order for him to learn, “Life is like a game of dice; if you don’t get the throw you need most, you must use skill to make the best of what turns up” (pg 374,7-9). Micio also knows that arguing will resolve nothing, “I wasn’t going to show him I was upset. However much I try to placate him, I only start arguing and put him off… if I were to add to his fury or even try to share it, I should soon be as crazy as he is” (pg 345, ln 7-11). In the song by The Pretenders, the band sings about supporting a loved one when they are upset or lost. The song is similar to The Brothers in the way it expresses it utmost support no matter what, “Don’t be ashamed to cry, Let me see you through, ‘Cause I’ve seen the dark side too, When the night falls on you, You don’t know what to do, Nothing you confess, Could make me love you less.” Both also authors express have seen and experienced the dark side of their loved ones before. The lyric, “When you’re standing at the crossroads, And don’t know which path to choose, Let me come along, Cause even if you’re wrong, I’ll stand by you” shows a similarity in how being wrong or right is not what matters to the author.
The difference between the texts is that Micio in The Brothers does display his aggravation over his son’s bad decisions. He openly says “He’s being unreasonable” (pg 345, ln 10) and complains how his misbehavior is “all starting again!” (pg 345, ln 17). On the other hand, The Pretenders only sing about support and even about protecting the loved one from harm “won’t let nobody hurt you”. It appears that Micio is more willing for Aeschinus to get hurt in order for him to learn from his mistakes. Micio also expresses his desire to let Aeschinus make his own decisions, because he hopes it will increase their relationship and familial love. Micio does not want Aeschinus to associate him with an authoritarian figure restricting his decisions.
The Brothers by Terence
[pg 345]
(ln 6) There’s something in what he says, but it’s not the whole story. I don’t really like it, but I wasn’t going to show him I was upset. However much I try to placate him, I only start arguing and put him off; he’s that sort of man. He’s being unreasonable, and if I were to add to his fury or even try to share it, I should soon be as crazy as he is. All the same, Aeschinus has treated me pretty badly over this. He has been the round of the whores, and they’ve all cost money; then only the other day he got sick of them, I suppose, and announced his intention of marrying. I hoped he was growing up and settling down, and I was delighted. Now it’s all staring again!
[pg 374]
(ln 6) If I could alter the situation – no. But as things are, I can’t; so I must accept it quietly. Life is like a game of dice; if you don’t get the throw you need most, you must use skill to make the best of what turns up.