Lampshades hung in theater. * Older Than Feudalism: Terence does this twice in his The Girl from Andros. In ancient Roman theater, the stage was always an outside (a street, a square), so if you wanted to tell the audience something happened in-doors, the people on the stage (outside) would have to comment on something happening inside the house, sometimes by speaking to people unseen, supposedly still inside the house. In addition, in many comedies pregnant women would give birth very quickly and very easily (sorta like Instant Birth, Just Add Water). In the play, the protagonist Simo comments on both these things, citing them as proof he is being scammed to believe Glycerium is pregnent with his grandson. * Shakespeare uses this often * In Twelfth Night: * * Most of