Ruy Blas

Ruy Blas (French pronunciation: [ʁɥi blɑ]) is a tragic drama by Victor Hugo.

Knowing that his valet Ruy Blas has secretly fallen in love with the Queen, and having previously failed to enlist the aid of his scapegrace but chivalrous cousin Don César in his scheme, Don Salluste disguises Blas as a nobleman and takes him to court.

Intelligent and generous, Blas becomes popular, is appointed prime minister, begins useful political and fiscal reforms, and conquers the Queen's heart.

The play has, except for the dénouement, constant and perplexing likeness to Edward Bulwer-Lytton's The Lady of Lyons, first acted on 14 February 1838.

The idea of a valet set by a scorned lover to woo a fine lady had been turned to dramatic account in Molière's Les Précieuses ridicules.