marivaudage

The term "marivaudage" refers to a style of writing, particularly in French drama, characterized by subtle and delicate expressions of feeling, witty wordplay, and a focus on the psychology of love. This style is named after the French dramatist Pierre Marivaux, whose comedies, written primarily between 1720 and 1740, are celebrated for their nuanced portrayal of romantic entanglements and the complexities of human vanity. Marivaux's plays, such as The Game of Love and Chance, often explore themes of social barriers and the internal struggles characters face as their pride clashes with their developing emotions. His work is considered a significant contribution to French theater, earning him a place among the great classic French dramatists.12