<p>Admeto (Admetus), ill and dying, goes to see the oracle of Giove (Jupiter) in order to learn how to stay alive: he can only survive if someone dies in his stead. His wife Alceste (Alcestis) is the only one who accepts to die for him. Ercole (Heracles) asks for the hospitality of the court of Admeto, and there he narrates his labours. He promises his host that he will bring Alceste back from the underworld. Accompanied by the servant Faggiolino, Ercole descends to the underworld, where he kills several antagonists, and asks Plutone (Pluto) to bring Alceste back to life. Because Plutone refuses, Ercole kidnaps Alceste. Back on Earth, Ercole, Faggiolino and Alceste are welcomed with a sumptuous feast, and Faggiolino is promoted Great of the court.</p>

Glove-puppet

Not specified

Italy

Bologna

Handwritten summary

Greek mythology

Death resurrected

Sacrifice

Descent into hell

Heroic

Fantasy

Comical

Italian

con Faggiolino spaventato dai mostri infernali

King

Admetus

Queen

Alcestis

Prince

Héraklès

Protée

Fagiolino

Servant

Priest

Pluto

Proserpina

Charon

Death

Cerberus

Oracle

Prayer

Pyrotechnics

Fighting a monster

Change of social status

Ercole all'Inferno

Hercules in the Underworld

<p>Monsieur Durand owns a factory and is looking for someone to replace him while he leaves on holidays. He offers the position to Guignol. Because his factory produces blows with a stick, he starts hitting Guignol. Guignol grabs the stick--it is his turn to hit Monsieur Durand, whom he leaves for dead. The Gendarme (policeman) comes in. He tries to seduce Madelon. When he discovers Monsieur Durand’s body, he wants to capture the murderer. Madelon succeeds in making him leave, and she brings Monsieur Durand back to life. The Gendarme comes back but he is driven out once and for all. Monsieur Durand gives Guignol the job.</p>

Ercole all'Inferno

con Faggiolino spaventato dai mostri infernali

Guignol veut s'enrichir

Guignolade en un acte