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.

Not specified

France

Paris

Manuscript

Society Theatre

Tragedy

Greek mythology

Comédie Française

Social Conversation

Parodistic

French

Knight

Criticism of actors' theatre

Song

Current affairs

Critique de Didon tragédie

Critique of Didon tragedy

M. Prudhomme visits Madame Benoiton and asks for her youngest daughter’s hand for his son. At first, Madame Benoiton mistakes him for a merchant. Once his identity cleared up, Madame Benoiton suggests for them to talk and to get to know each other. During their conversation, she questions him on famous personalities and authors such as Victorien Sardou, Poquelin, Dumas fils, Octave Feuillet, Émile de Girardin, Ponson du Terrail and Timothée Trimm. The conversation, now light and mundane, is punctuated by dances: Madame Benoiton seems charmed by M. Prudhomme, thanks to his manners and his answers. M. Prudhomme does his best to give a good impression and assures that “like father like son”. The conversation continues with lots of compliments and mutual gallant remarks. In the end, they agree to the wedding. However, as he is about to leave, M. Prudhomme’s aside reveals that none of what he said is what he really thought.

Glove-puppet

Lemercier de Neuville Louis

Printed

Bourgeoisie

Wedding

Current events

Life of the theatres

Comical

Satirical

Lemercier de Neuville, illustration for Les Fourberies de M. Prudhomme, 1868.