This book reassesses the premises, nature, and audience of Plautine comedy. Combining textual and literary criticism, Michael Fontaine argues that many of Plautus' puns, jokes, and several characters' names were misunderstood in antiquity. By examining the comedian's tendency to make up and misuse words, Fontaine sheds new light on the close connection between Greek and Roman comedy. The result reveals a Plautus writing in the Hellenistic tradition for a knowledgeable and sophisticated audience.