Island Slave 
I just read a short play by Marivaux (1688 - 1763) entitled
Slave Island. The record tells us that this is a comedy in one act and prose created in 1725. It's mostly a political play, a revolutionary utopia accent unfortunately does not go after his idea.
"Iphicrate, dandy, and Euphrosyne, flirt, are thrown by the storm to an island ruled by runaway slaves. Under the laws of the colony, it takes away the freedom of these two unfortunate, and it frees the contrary Cleanthis Harlequin and their servants. These, become masters of their former masters, the magistrate shall order portraits ridiculous, and it takes qu'Iphicrate Euphrosyne and agree that these portraits are likenesses. " (1) Thomas More in Utopia before Marivaux and Molière, Corneille predecessors in the year to show the ropes of acting with Impromptu de Versailles
and
The Illusion comique. Harlequin about becoming master of his master and accommodating them so well, it reminds us of Diderot Jacques Le Figaro by Beaumarchais.
The theme of reversal of values is too much of his time. See the beauty of the world mirrored in comparison to Cyrano
States and Empires of the Moon and Sun To begin with. And then the eighteenth century ended in 1789 by the French Revolution, is not it? This small piece
therefore reads quickly but not so far inconsistent. Thinking it was before the Court on two occasions could even make one shudder. Fortunately (or unfortunately if we judge according to our pleasure), Marivaux reserve a successful outcome and suitable to his comedy masters soften and acknowledge their faults, the servants whose suffering is finally recognized not require no more and throw themselves at the feet of the former, by a movement almost "natural" which makes one wonder ... But it must be Remember that Marivaux Cleanthis called Harlequin and slaves, while they are only servants. It is through this semantic shift discreet but not insignificant that it is ultimately the most critical. Also note that if the action takes place in ancient Greece off and with reference to the Athenian society, the manners of the characters are indeed those of the eighteenth century French.
What I relearned Marivaux: he was the son of civil servant, is in law and never go there, made his first pieces, but asked anyway to recover the charge of his father's death it ( what he was refused). He created romantic comedy and political criticism. He probably gave more importance to the latter but was recognized for the former. He persevered in the novel at the same time and drew his first criticism. He was elected to the Academy long after having claimed the same institution and conducted by lottery. M. de Marivaux, French Academy, died fat and sated. Criticisms against him are fair enough:
"This author would very clever if he did not think much to have them, or even just to talk, he spoke a language to be understood. " (2) However, if not Marivaux Molière, some of his pieces are still read very well and does not probably play worse. This applies to
Slave Island, which would give us a few lessons, even today.
(1) La Barre de Beaumarchais, Letters serious and playful ,
year 1730 (2) Journal of the Court and the Palace , 1733 full Theatre, The Pochotèque - 28 euros approx.
