Iphicrate, a young master, and his slave Arlequin, have been shipwrecked on the island of the slaves, an island where former slaves revolted against their masters. On the island, they encounter other survivors: Euphrosine, a young Athenian, and her slave Cléanthis. Trivelin, a resident of the island charged with enforcing the laws, orders them to exchange their names, clothing, and roles. Thus, the former slaves become masters and vice versa. The masters can only regain their freedom after three years, and after having acquired a humane, reasonable, and generous behavior. The two slaves, Cléanthis and Arlequin, reveal the ungrateful and cruel behavior of their masters to Trivelin. The masters, Euphrosine and Iphicrate, admit the truthfulness of these portrayals.
Arlequin and Cléanthis have fun imitating their masters and courting each other according to the gallant codes of the time. After an emotional discussion between the two cross-dressers, Arlequin decides to forgive Iphicrate, while Euphrosine is not ready to pardon the suffering inflicted by her mistress. Arlequin encourages her to do so, and she accepts out of pure understanding: she does not want to make others suffer as she has suffered. Trivelin considers the experience (on the island) over: the masters have become more human. Arlequin, Iphicrate, Cléanthis, and Euphrosine, moved and reconciled, decide to return to Athens.
Characters in Order of Appearance
- Iphicrate
- Arlequin
- Trivelin
- Cléanthis
- Euphrosine
Genre of the Text
The genre of the text is theatrical, specifically comedy.
