<p>Monsieur Sapin (Mister Fir Tree) and Monsieur Fagot (Mister Bundle of Sticks) pretend to be philosophers. They convince Polichinelle to do so too. After quarrelling with her husband Polichinelle, Dame Gigogne also decides to become a philosopher. Outside his shop, Polichinelle puts a sign claiming that he is a philosopher. Arlequin and Gille, who want to take revenge on philosophers, assault Polichinelle, but he defeats them. Monsieur Sapin and Polichinelle see Dame Gigogne walk on all fours before giving birth to many children. All the characters sing a vaudeville together and the children dance at the very end of the play.</p>

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Cadet de Beaupré (Louis Poinsinet de Sivry, aka Cadet de Beaupré)

France

Passy

Printed

Swazzle

Philosophy

Revenge

Deception

Pedant

Woman

Comical

Satirical

French

Comédie en un acte

Polichinelle

Gille

Arlecchino

Mother Gigogne

Metadiscourse on puppet theatre

Ballet

Multiplied characters

Childbirth on stage

Comical entrance

Domestic scene

Final song

Fight

Les Philosophes de bois

The Wooden philosophers