IDENTIFICATION AND DOING WITHOUT IT, I: A SITUATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF MISAPPLIED PERSONAL IDENTITY, WITH A FORMALISM FOR A CASE OF MULTIPLE USURPED IDENTITY IN MARIVAUX

Abstract

A classification is given of situations of personal identity self-misascription. When devising a representational formalism, it is of interest to find out how well it would suit complex situations. For that purpose, and within the broader context of formally representing such narratives that involve personal identity being taken by persons other than the original holder, I present here a formalism as applied to elements from the plot of a play by Marivaux. Elsewhere (Nissan 2002a) I have presented a compatible formalism for representing important elements in Pirandello's play Henry IV (Pirandello 1922). The kind of representation shown in the current paper takes into account modes of communication between characters, taking somebody else's role, judicial authority, as well as concepts such as a legal persona, marriage, and other social circumstances such as master/subordinate relations.