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

Not specified

Piron Alexis

France

Paris

Printed

Flood

Greek mythology

Comical

French

Arlecchino

Deucalion

Thalie

Melpomene

Apollo

Momus

Polichinelle

Pegasus

Child

Sylphe

Love

Grâce

Speechless character

Catastrophe

Oracle

Swazzle

Monologue

Arlequin-Deucalion

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.

Italy

Bologna

Handwritten summary

Death resurrected

Sacrifice

Descent into hell

Heroic

Fantasy

Angelo Cuccoli, Ercole all'Inferno (front cover)

Italian

con Faggiolino spaventato dai mostri infernali

King

Admetus

Queen

Alcestis

Prince

Héraklès

Protée

Fagiolino

Servant

Priest

Pluto

Proserpina

Charon

Death

Cerbero

Prayer

Pyrotechnics

Fighting a monster

Change of social status

Ercole all'Inferno

Hercules in the Underworld