English Translations: Anthea Bell & Derek Hockridge
Copyright © 2001 Uderzo
Abstract
An actress masquerading as Panacea (see Asterix the Legionary) gets sent by Pompeii to recover his helmet and sword that is currently in the possession of the Gauls.
Table 31.1. Asterix and the Actress - Annotations
| Page, Panel | Comment |
|---|---|
| Page 1, Panel 3 | Continuity problem. In Page 1, Panel 1 all the chimneys are smoking. Here, in a matter of just minutes only two chimneys are shown as smoking. |
| Page 2, Panel 2 | This is the first reference in the books to Asterix and Obelix sharing the same birthday. This appears in variance with only Obelix celebrating his birthday in Obelix and Co. |
| Page 3, Panel 4 | HGV: Pun on the French TGV |
| Page 4, Panel 6 | The souvenir business of Astronomix and Obeliscoidix is called Modernities and not Antiques |
| Page 7, Panel 2 | Tremesdelirious' "Hic, Haec, Hoc": Latin declension of 'Hic'. See annotation for 'Page 22, Panel 8' of Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield |
| Page 7, Panel 7 | "that play Waiting for Godotrix' == A reference to the absurdist play 'Waiting for Godot'. Why is this reference being made here??? |
| Page 11, Panel 1 | The character Panacea returns from Asterix the Legionary |
| Page 15, Panel 3 | Obelix's response to Panacea ("Wkrstksft") is exactly the same as his response in Page 3, Panel 10 of Asterix the Legionary |
| Page 16, Panel 2 | Baccus: The Roman god of wine. Son of Jupiter and Semele. The Greek equivalent was Dionysus, son of Zeus and Semele. |
| Page 26, Panel 1 | Ceterarum Rerum Prudens: Prudent in other things (Pliny the Younger???) |
| Page 29, Panel 3 | Graffiti on the pillar outside the tavern has "Romans Go Home" scrawled on it. A reference to Monty Python's 'Life of Brian'??? |
| Page 29, Panel 6 | Lagatoria Provincia: Provincial Legate's Office ??? |
| Page 31, Panel 8 | La Donna E Mobile: Can be translated as "women are fickle". Opera composed (1851) by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) |
| Page 31, Panel 10 | "Lost my little Dogmatix": We last saw Digmatix in Page 24, Panel 8. |
| Page 32, Panel 6 | Skivers: Informal for a person who is absent from work without permission. |
| Page 33, Panel 2 | Convenience: A public toilet. |
| Page 33, Panel 3 | Yobbos: A slang term for an uncouth blue collar individual or thug. |
| Page 39, Panel 2 | "Tell the Roman politely..." = A reference to Asterix the Legionary |
| Page 39, Panel 9 | Quis, Quid, Ubi, Quibus, Auxilis, Cur, Quomodo, Quando: Who, what, where, with what, why, how, when? (in that order) |
| Page 42, Panel 8 | The statuette is an obvious reference to the Oscars. |
| Page 42, Panel 10 | When did women first win Oscars??? |
| Page 44, Panel 6 | Quid Novi: Whats new; And looks like Dogmatix has done what his master steadfastly refuses to do - get "married". |
Table 31.2. Asterix and the Actress - Names
| Name (in order of appearance) | Comment |
|---|---|
| Obeliscoidix | A parasite, often called a rabbit stomach worm, found in many species of rabbits and hares throughout much of Mexico, Canada, and the United States. |
| Astronomix | Astronomy (Greek: astronomia = astron + nomos, literally, "law of the stars"). The scientific study of the universe, including the solar sytem, stars and galaxies. |
| Bogus Genius | Self explanatory. |
| Tremensdelirius | Delerium Tremens: Delerium from alcohol withdrawal. See Asterix and Caesar's Gift |
| Vanilla | Obelix's mother. |
| Latraviata | La Traviata, an opera by Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901) |
| Fastandfurious | Fast and furious. |
| Soporific | Something that induces sleep. Panacea's father. |
| Sarsaparilla | A perennial trailing vine with prickly stems native to tropical America and the West Indies. Its name comes from the Spanish words sarza for "shrub" and parilla for "little vine." Its roots, which are used in herbology, burrow deeply into the ground, while its vines are avid climbers. |
| Gymnasticapparatus | Gymnastic Apparatus. |
| Coughlinctus | Cough Linctus: Cough medication. |