L'Île des esclaves
| L'Île des esclaves | |
|---|---|
Title page from the first edition of L'Île des esclaves | |
| Written by | Pierre de Marivaux |
| Characters | Arlequin Iphicrate Cléanthis Euphrosine Trivelin |
| Date premiered | 5 March 1725 |
| Place premiered | Hôtel de Bourgogne |
| Original language | French |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | Off the coast of Athens, Greece |
L’Île des esclaves (English: Slave Island) is a one-act comedy by Pierre de Marivaux; it was the first of three plays in the series. It was presented for the first time on March 5, 1725 at the Hôtel de Bourgogne by the Comédie Italienne; an actress named Silvia played Cléanthis and Thomassin played the role of Arlequin.
The play is characterized by a mixing of genres: Greek characters, a shipwreck leaning towards tragedy, and social commentary. However, the play is essentially a comedy with its confusion of sentiments, exchange of power between masters and valets, and finally the appearance of Arlequin.