Beautiful verse, not always alexandrines.
A play within a play within the play.
The innermost is confined to Act Five, within the second play within a play, also confined to Act Five.
The first play within the play runs from Act Two to Act Four.
Both the first and second recount adventures of the same people, but the second is rather a sequel, picking them up two years after those of the first.
Within that second those people are actors and perform the innermost play.
Corneille ends with the magician Alcandre's paen to theater and Richelieu.
