The Game of Love and Chance

The Game of Love and Chance is a 1730 comedy by French playwright Pierre Marivaux. The play explores the complexities of love and social status, a common theme in Marivaux's works.

The plot centers on Silvia, a young woman from a wealthy background, who is arranged to marry Dorante. To understand Dorante better, Silvia and her maid, Lisette, decide to disguise themselves as servants, while Dorante and his valet, Arlequin, do the same. This role reversal leads to humorous situations and genuine emotional discoveries as Silvia finds herself falling for Dorante, unaware of his true identity and social standing. The play highlights how vanity and social barriers must be overcome for true love to emerge. Marivaux's subtle exploration of human psychology and witty dialogue, known as marivaudage, makes him a significant figure in French theatre.12