The Role of Straforel and his Men in The Romancers

Straforel has an important role, though minor. He is a fake kidnapper and is called to kidnap Sylvette so that Percinet would save her and on that ground their fathers can unite as friends and give permission for the marriage.

Straforel is a brave man and he walks majestically and wears an extremely pleasing dress. He is hired by Bergamin for a make-believe abduction and a fake sword fight. He is an expert in his profession, He makes a combination of the different elements so that the kidnapping will be memorable. At the end of the play he brings with him his swordsmen, musicians and torch bearers. He places his men in their positions when Sylvette comes there, she is kidnapped and finally rescued by Percinet. Percinet and Sylvette do not know that their parents have arranged a mock-kidnapping. So Sylvette is frightened after being kidnapped and cries for help and Percinet frights bravely and perhaps makes Straforel wounded. That's why he falls onto the ground clutching his chest, but this kidnapping makes the audience laugh. They know that Straforel is not a villain. All his activities please them. His direction of the musicians, especially, makes them laugh. For the young lovers it is a crucial moment, but for the audience, it is the funniest event in the play. The last glimpse of the play is that of the presentation the bill, totaling in cash Straforel and his man are comedians who follow the tradition of romantic comedies.