graduate student of the Faculty of Philology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Department of Modern Western European Languages and Literatures
Ruse is not a special theatrical term, but in Michel Corvan’s dictionary this concept occurs in the characteristic of a valet / servant. The ruse is connected with the role of a servant and with the comedy tradition, this is a trick that characters resort to in order to outwit an opponent and achieve the desired goal. In the plays of Marivaux and Beaumarchais a classic intrigue is presented: a cunning servant helps his master to marry his beloved. From the very beginning, we understand that it will be a happy-end, but no one knows how the plot will come to such a denouement. One of the types of ruse often used in comedies is disguise. However, changing of dress cannot be a fullfledged ploy, the character must adopt the habits of the person he is dressing up in, change his own behavior, voice. Using a ruse of travesty, personages become unrecognizable for enemies first of all. In Beaumarchais’ plays this theatrical technique is used in the traditional form, and Marivaux use it in the new way. So, the audience does not see Dubois dressing up, for example, but by his changed behavior, his manner of speech, understands that this servant has become Dorante for a while – during his speaking with Araminta.
theater; comedy; ruse; mask; disguise; role.