The Roi des Pygmées (Pygmy King) worries about the coming of the Grues and the potential disorder his daughter will cause among the generals of his army. In remembrance of her fiancé Timas, who is presumed dead, Parvulie refuses to marry Picolus. As for Pichonine, she is courted by both Picolus and Belus. The king decides to offer Pichonine to whoever defeats the Grues. Ominous signs arise after a sacrifice, and the king asks Sémiandre and Homoncius to speak with the Ciel (sky/gods). Pichonine confesses to Parvulie that she loves Belus. The envoys pass on Mars’ promise to help them in their battle against the Grues. Timas finally comes back and traps the Grues in nets: the Pygmies have won, and the king is about to promise Pichonine to Picolus – who claims to be the victorious hero. Microton declares that Belus has died, when it is in fact Picolus who did, when he was about to kill his rival Belus. Belus and Timas come back and are greeted as the true champions. Pichonine believes she will have to marry Picolus, instead of Belus. Mercure (Mercury), Soleil (the sun), Mars and Jupiter appear one after the other. Vignerons (winegrowers) and Bergers (shepherds) dance.

Marionette with counterweight

"On foot and by rod" puppet

Not specified

La Grille (Dominique de Normandin, aka Sieur de La Grille)

France

Paris

Printed summary

Greek mythology

Pygmies

Relationship between man and animal

Fake news

Loyalty in love

Rivalry in love

Tragic

Comical

Title page of the original publication (BnF, Paris).

French

Officer

Soldier

Crane (bird)

Mercury

Mars

Jupiter (Jove)

Winemaker

Misunderstanding

Flying machine

Apparition

Les Pygmées

The Pygmy

Polichinelle tells the Compère the story how he became Pluton (Pluto)’s coachman. He helps the latter capture Proserpine. Her mother – Cérès (Ceres) – protests, but Jupiter declares that Proserpine will be handed back to Ceres on condition that she does not eat or drink anything in the Underworld. Polichinelle testifies that he has seen Proserpine eat “way more than just a pear”. Jupiter therefore rules that Pluton can keep her.

Rod and string marionette

Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Printed

Mother-daughter relationship

Hell

Judgment of God

Kidnapping

Devil

Horse

Coachman

Glory

Carriage

Minuet

Parodistic

Farcical

Polichinelle

The Interpreter

Pluto

Faune

Proserpina

Pallas

Ceres

Apparition of a god

Bawdy equivocation

Comic Equivocation

Instrumental tune

Dialogue with a character in the audience

L'Enlèvement de Proserpine par Pluton roi des Enfers

The Abduction of Prosperpine by Pluton king of the Underworld

Arlequin-Deucalion is the only survivor of the Flood ordered by the gods. Taking refuge on Parnassus, he hears the voice of a parrot and meets the Muses Thalia and Melpomene, Apollo and his wife Pyrrha, who have all become mute. He tries to ride Pegasus, but fails. Out of a barrel, he pulls several papers, a pair of pistols, and then Momus in the form of a Polichinelle puppet who is the only one allowed talking to him. Polichinelle-Momus explains to Arlequin-Deucalion how to repopulate the earth, and then asks him to throw him into the sea. Arlequin-Deucalion and Pyrrha make 5 men and 4 women appear.

Glove-puppet

Piron Alexis

Flood

Arlecchino

Deucalion

Thalie

Melpomene

Apollo

Momus

Pegasus

Child

Sylphe

Love

Grâce

Speechless character

Catastrophe

Oracle

Swazzle

Monologue

Arlequin-Deucalion

Céliante and Dorimène ask the Marquis to tell them about new plays. The latter relates that the Chevalier (Knight) and his daughter Emilie, who follow him, have seen Didon. The Chevalier, Emilie and Céliante recount the play with songs.

Manuscript

Society Theatre

Tragedy

Comédie Française

Social Conversation

Knight

Criticism of actors' theatre

Song

Current affairs

Critique de Didon tragédie

Critique of Didon tragedy

Polichinelle wants to be loved while he is dressed as the shepherd Philemon, but is rejected by Issé. Doris accepts Pan's love for a while. Hylas is in turn rejected by Issé. Issé questions the oracle of the oaks of Dodona who tells her that she will fall in love with the god of light. Issé refuses because she prefers Polichinelle. Polichinelle reveals himself to her as Apollo.

Manuscript with songs and dialogue summaries

God disguised as a mortal

Shepherd

Unrequited love

Seduction

Philémon

Mother Gigogne

Doris

Pierrot

Hylas

Priest

Peasant (female)

Unveiling

Spectacular turn of events

Ballet

Apollon Polichinelle

Apollo as Polichinelle

Pierrot has been dead for six months when he meets Arlequin in the Underworld. Arlequin has just arrived and tells Pierrot that Colombine quickly forgot all about him after he died. First, she went with Valère, then with Arlequin himself, after he and Martine divorced. After having met Platon (Plato) and Socrate (Socrates) and spied on their conversations, Pierrot and Arlequin begin philosophising about women. When they meet Pluton (Pluto), they ask him to bring Martine and Colombine, whom they yearn to see. The two women are taken alive to the Underworld, but they reject Arlequin and Pierrot as they refuse to live with dead men. To keep them away, Martine sends them both on a mission with Pluton and Caron (Charon). The young women meet Platon and Socrate too, who are both affected by the women’s living flesh. Arlequin is jealous and ready to fight Socrate. However, Pluton comes back and tells Martine and Colombine that Valère has already replaced them both. They ask to be brought back to earth, and Pluton grants their wish. After they are gone, Pluton and Arlequin declare that no woman is trustworthy, but Diotime (Diotima) appears and reminds them of the transfiguring power of love.

Pigeon Amédée

Descent into hell

Death

Carnal love

Unfaithfulness

Philosophy

Afterlife

Woman

Dialogue of the dead

Satirical

Philosophical tale

Socrates

Plato

Choir

Colombine

Diotima

Scene of recognition

Spying scene

L'Amour dans les Enfers

Love in the Underworld

On the stage, the Interpreter, who is a kind of demiurge, makes Earth appear and disappear into space. He then announces that the tree Yggdrasil will appear, along with three boxes. From the first box emerge gods from different religions, from the second one come out mythological and historical heroes as well as demons. The third box does not open up, but it moves, revealing that the box contains a being. The Interpreter calls him “the Messiah” and declares that he will come to “damn creation” - it is the announcement of the birth of the future main character of the Drama for Fools: Cockatrice.