Satan and the Anges rebelles (Rebel Angels) are trying to go back to heaven, but they are defeated and repelled into the abyss by the Archange Michel (Archangel Michael). The Verbe (Word; God) appears and creates the planets. In the underworld, the Anges rebelles are planning their revenge: they gather riches and have a palace built. Satan finds out that Dieu (God) is going to create l’Homme (Man) and he wants to cause his downfall. He manages to escape Hell and to go to the physical World. In the Terrestrial Paradise, Ève, tempted by Satan posing as a snake, convinces Adam to eat the Fruit from the Tree of knowledge. The two are driven out of Paradise. Carried to a mountain by an Ange (Angel), Adam sees the future in a dream—episodes from the Old Testament, the birth and death of Jesus, the Last Judgment. The last tableau shows the Almighty God on his throne.

Automaton

Not specified

Josse Pierre-Charles

France

Paris

Printed summary

Bible

Evil

Revolt

Fall

Creation of the world

Hell

Heaven

Temptation

Religious

L'Origine du monde et la chute du premier homme, 1763 (page 1)

French

Satan

Devil

Saint Michael

Angel

God (monotheism)

Beelzebub

Architect

Mammon

Death

Time

Dreams

Adam

Gabriel

Pharaoh

Solomon

Nabuchodonosor

Jesus

Allegory

Apparition

Fight

Avista

Flying machine

Disguised character (false identity)

Dream

L'Origine du monde et la chute du premier homme

The Origin of the world of the fall of the first man

After the death of his father (a miller), Casperl inherits his old cat Muzl, who is no other than a naturalist magician turned into an animal for having questioned creationism: he has been sentenced to live as a cat until he has eaten the giant Lüpel. Muzl introduces Casperl to the local lord by making Casperl bring him rabbits and partridges, for the Lord loves them to the point of not eating anything else. However, Lüpel asks for the hand of Lord Rosalinde’s daughter through the intervention of the chamberlain Gummielastico. Rosalinde refuses and Lüpel turns Gummielastico into a rubber ball. Muzl offers his services to Lüpel and advises him to transform into a mouse to slip inside Rosalinde’s house. The giant transforms and Muzl eats him. Casperl marries the princess.

String marionette

Young audiences

Pocci Franz von

Germany

Munich

Printed

Last will and testament

Miller

Magic

Biology

Homunculus

Hypochondria

Melancholy

Paranoia

Politics

Nature

Rabbit

Partridge

Wedding

Beer

Fantasy

Satirical

Illustration by Franz von Pocci for the edition of the play in 1862

German

Lord

Gamekeeper

Physician

Kasperl

Giant

Valet

Donkey

Teacher

Talking animal

Hidden character

Address to the public

Letter

Argument

Brawl

Song

Parodic trial

Monologue

Sung scenes

Instrumental tune

Word for another

Parody of formal language

Metamorphosis

Procession

Muzl, der gestiefelte Kater

Muzl, the Puss in Boots