La Farce de maître Pathelin (in English The Farce of Master Pathelin; sometimes La Farce de maître Pierre Pathelin, La Farce de Pathelin, Farce Maître Pierre Pathelin, or Farce de Maître Pathelin) The earliest accounts of this play can be traced back to as early as 1457 to 1470; However the date is uncertain as there is no known playwright that introduced the piece. The Farce of Master Pathelin was extraordinarily popular in its day, and held an influence on popular theatre for over a century. Its echoes can be seen in the works of Rabelais. A number of phrases from the play became proverbs in French, and the phrase "Let us return to our muttons" (revenons à nos moutons) even became a common English calque.

In the play there are only five characters: the title character, his wife Guillemette, a clothier named Guillaume Joceaulme, a shepherd named Thibault l’Aignelet, and finally a judge. Every character except the last is dishonest in some way, which is exploited to great effect.

The play focuses on issues including the complex emerging state structure and honesty. The play also zeros in on the theme of the deceiver being deceived. In total, it can be performed in approximately one hour.