''La Double Inconstance'' is a three-act romantic

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

by French playwright Marivaux. Its title is usually translated into English as ''The Double Inconstancy''. ''La Double Inconstance'' was first performed 6 April 1723 by the Comédie Italienne. In this play, a young woman is kidnapped from her lover by the prince of the country, who loves her and intends to marry her. Through ruse and disguises, the prince and a trusty female servant manage to break up the relationship, resulting in two marriages. Like many of Marivaux's other comedies, ''La Double Inconstance'' makes use of

stock characters A stock character, also known as a character archetype, is a type of character in a narrative (e.g. a novel, play, television show, or film) whom audiences recognize across many narratives or as part of a storytelling tradition or convention. Th ...

from the

Commedia dell'arte Commedia dell'arte was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Theatre of Italy, Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is a ...

. In this play, Arlequin and Trivelin are featured.

Plot summary

Silvia is a young peasant girl who loves and is loved by Arlequin. Prior to the opening of the play, the prince meets her and instantly falls in love with her. He pretends to be a simple officer of the prince and befriends her. He is required by law to marry a commoner, so he sends his forces to kidnap her. The play opens with Silvia in the palace, pining for her lover, Arlequin, who has also been brought to court. A female servant of the prince, Flaminia, devises a plan to separate the two lovers. She appeals to Silvia's vanity, by suggesting that she needs a more worthy lover. The prince, still disguised as the officer of the palace, continues to be her friend; and Silvia soon realizes that he is a better catch than Arlequin. Meanwhile, Flaminia befriends Arlequin and gradually seduces him away from Silvia. However, both Arlequin and Silvia feel indebted one to the other and are reluctant to separate. When the prince finally reveals himself, both Arlequin and Silvia are relieved to know that they have an excuse to call off their engagement. The play ends with the union of the two couples: Silvia and the prince, and Flaminia and Arlequin.

Characters

* The prince * Silvia - a young peasant girl, engaged to Arlequin, but beloved by the prince * Harlequin/Arlequin - a young peasant, engaged to Silvia * Flaminia - a clever woman who is the prince's servant * Lisette - Flaminia's less clever sister * Trivelin - a male servant * A nobleman * Various servants

Adaptations

The play ''La Double Inconstance'' was adapted into a 1968 Made-for-TV movie in France. The play ''La Double Inconstance'' is rehearsed as a play within the film in Jacques Rivette's ''

Gang of Four The Gang of Four () was a Maoist political faction composed of four Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials. They came to prominence during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) and were later charged with a series of treasonous crimes due to th ...

'' In 1983, BBC Television produced the play as ''Infidelities'' for the ''

Play of the Month ''Play of the Month'' is a BBC television anthology series, which ran from 1965 to 1983 featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays (or adaptations) which were usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different wor ...

'' series, starring

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and

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External links

*
La Double Inconstance
on the French sit

1723 plays Plays by Pierre de Marivaux {{18thC-play-stub