[en] This paper aims at studying the textual motif quid metuis / times ? in Plautus’
comedies. The concept of motif shows how the scenes where it appears function discursively
and ludically. The analysis of its occurrences reveals that this motif characterizes some
characters’ types and that it structures some dialogues relatively fixed, called ludic topoi.
By this way, it brings to light the metatheatricality and the codification of Plautus’
theatre.
