La Double Inconstancy

La Double Inconstance
Title page from the first edition of La Double Inconstance
Written byPierre de Marivaux
CharactersLe Prince
Silvia
Flaminia
Arlequin
Lisette
Trivelin
Date premiered6 April 1723 (1723-04-06)
Place premieredFrance
Original languageFrench
Subjectlove, disguise
GenreRomantic comedy
SettingThe prince's palace

La Double Inconstance is a three-act romantic comedy by French playwright Marivaux. Its title is usually translated into English as The Double Inconstancy. La Double Inconstance was first performed 6 April 1723 by the Comédie Italienne. In this play, a young woman is kidnapped from her lover by the prince of the country, who loves her and intends to marry her. Through ruse and disguises, the prince and a trusty female servant manage to break up the relationship, resulting in two marriages.

Like many of Marivaux's other comedies, La Double Inconstance makes use of stock characters from the Commedia dell'arte. In this play, Arlequin and Trivelin are featured.