The Comedy of Illusion by Pierre Corneille. Short summary

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An old father searches for the son he quarreled with and chased away years ago. The magician Alcandra promises to show the inconsolable father the life of his son after he left his father’s home.

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Pridamant, an elderly townsman from Rennes, is searching for his son Clindor, whom he has not seen in 10 years. For help, he comes to the cave of the wizard Alcandre. The magician shows the old man his son’s life since he left Rennes.

Clindor lives in Bordeaux and serves the Gascon Matamore, who likes the beautiful Isabella. But the girl’s father, is going to marry her off to Baron Adraste. On the orders of the lord, Clindor begins to court the girl and soon falls in love with her. Adrast suspects Isabella of treason. The servant Liza helps the baron to catch the lovers on a rendezvous, but Clindor kills Adrast. Clindor is sentenced to death. Lisa helps the hero to escape.

A couple of years pass. Spouses Isabella and Clindor live at the court of Prince Florilam. One day, Isabella catches her husband on a date with Princess Rosina, Florilam’s wife. Isabella is ready to forgive her beloved, but Rosina does not want to let her beau go. Suddenly the Prince´s men run into the room, and Clindor and Rosina are killed. Isabella is kidnapped.