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Set in ancient Syracuse, the narrative revolves around Semestre, the housekeeper, who chastises her two maids, Chloris and Dorippe, for their negligence while grinding olives. The dialogue reveals themes of labor, responsibility, and the struggle against external threats, such as thieves. Dorippe's spirited action of extinguishing the lamps symbolizes a rejection of the mundane and a challenge to authority. The vivid imagery and character dynamics highlight the tension between duty and personal desire in a historical context.