The Resources of Quinola: A Comedy in a Prologue and Five Acts by Honoré de Balzac

"The Resources of Quinola: A Comedy in a Prologue and Five Acts" by Honoré de Balzac is a theatrical play likely written during the early 19th century. The narrative centers on the character Lavradi, known as Quinola, a clever servant who navigates the complexities of court intrigue in 16th century Spain while desperately seeking to secure his master's revolutionary invention—a steam-powered vessel—to gain royal favor and win the love of Marie Lothundiaz, a charming heiress. The opening of the play sets the stage for a rich tapestry of characters and events. It begins in the palace of Philip II of Spain, where Quinola creatively manipulates his circumstances as he seeks permission for his inventor master, Alfonso Fontanares, to present his steamship project to the king. The opening scenes introduce various characters, including the skeptical Captain of the Guards and the anxious Marchioness of Mondejar, as Quinola weaves through their expectations and prejudices. The tension escalates with the hints of assassination and court politics, and Quinola's wit becomes apparent as he maneuvers for his master's audience with the king. The prologue effectively establishes both the comedic elements and the dramatic stakes that will unfold in the subsequent acts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Balzac, Honoré de, 1799-1850
Title The Resources of Quinola: A Comedy in a Prologue and Five Acts
Credits Produced by Dagny; and John Bickers
Reading Level Reading ease score: 83.0 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject French drama -- 19th century -- Translations into English
Category Text
eBook-No. 7417
Release Date
Last Update Dec 30, 2020
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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