How did Terence's comedies differ from the plays of Plautus?

Terence’s comedies differed significantly from those of Plautus in both style and dramatic intent. While Plautus was known for his boisterous humor, slapstick, and musical elements—often resembling a comic opera—Terence moved toward a more refined and realistic approach.12

Key differences include:

• Language and Tone: Plautus utilized racy, colloquial Latin, puns, and slang to create a lively, energetic atmosphere. In contrast, Terence prided himself on elegant, pure language, avoiding vulgarity and obscurity to achieve a more polished, sophisticated style.134
• Musicality: Plautus’s plays were characterized by extensive use of song and rhythmic variety. Terence significantly reduced these elements, with singing almost disappearing from his works.13
• Characterization and Plot: Plautus relied on farce, exaggeration, and stock characters to drive his plots. Terence focused on psychological depth and well-delineated characters, portraying a more sensitive society where relationships were often more nuanced.314
• Dramatic Technique: Terence eliminated the actor's direct address to the audience and removed expository prologues to increase suspense, whereas Plautus favored direct engagement and rapid, often inconsistent, action.43