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Commedia dell'arte. The Comedy of Art. Commedia dell'arte. Commedia dell'Arte ( Italian : "the comedy of art") is a form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century and held its popularity through the 18th century, although it is still performed today.
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Commedia dell'arte The Comedy of Art
Commedia dell'arte • Commedia dell'Arte (Italian: "the comedy of art") is a form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century and held its popularity through the 18th century, although it is still performed today
Commedia dell'arte • Performances were unscripted, held outside, and used few props. • They were free to watch, funded by donations.
Commedia dell'arte • A troupe consisted of ten people. (Women included as actors) • Outside Italy the form was also known as "Italian Comedy".
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Arlecchino or Harlequin: • Clown. • Acrobatic and mischievous, • zanni & Servant • Recognizable by the colorful diamond-shaped patches that traditionally were part of his costume. • His mask has a low forehead with a wart, and sometimes wore a black stocking wound round the lower face and then up over the head.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Arlecchino: • is often the servant to Pantalone • He is in love with Colombina, • He can often have a close relationship with the audience, • The Arlecchino character also tries to trick his masters and is always plotting and planning, but his plans never work.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Colombina: • female counterpart of Arlecchino. • Servant and zanni. • Initiates the plot of the play. • Clever, crafty, and untamed. • Her costume often had the same colored patches found in Arlecchino's outfit.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Pedrolino: • also known as "Pierrot" or "Pedro" • The loyal servant. • Hardworking, trustworthy, honest and devoted to his master. • Charming and likable, he wears a loose white outfit with a neck ruff. • Tends to be the butt of the physical jokes.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Il Capitano (The Captain): • Swash-buckling and bold, but not necessarily heroic, • Wears the military dress of the day. • His attire is generally foppish and overdone. • A braggart, a ladies man, and a cavalier. • He is motivated by his desire for sex.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Il Dottore - the doctor: • He appears to be a learned man, but generally that impression proves to be false. • He is older, wealthy • Pedantic and miserly, he is hopelessly unsuccessful with women. • Everyone else believes what he is saying to be true but it is erroneous. • This leads into further trouble and confusion.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • The Innamorati- The Lovers: • The innamorato and innamorata had many different names over time ("Isabella" was a particularly popular name for the woman, as was "Flavio" for the man). • Young, righteous, and hopelessly in love with one another. • Never play in mask. • Always fashionable.
Commedia dell'arteStock Characters • Pantalone : • Archetypal "old miser.” • Quite wealthy but very greedy. • He only cares about money and he will do anything to get it. • His costume usually incorporates a long beard and red pants. • Often the father of the innamorato and desires the innamorata for her wealth
Answers • Innomarata (Isabella) • Pantalone
Answer • Capitano
Answer • Innamorati (The lovers) • Innamorata and Innamorato
Answer • Pantalone (Mr. Burns) • Servant (Mr. Smithers)
Answer • Clowns/Servants • This is an example of lazzi – foolish physical humor
Answer • Dottore
Answer • Columbina
Commedia dell’arte • The following is a guide of a basic plot line for a commedia script. • Fill out the graphic organizer along with the presentation.
Commedia dell'arte • Conventional plot lines were written on themes of adultery, jealousy, old age, and love. • Many of the basic plot elements can be traced back to the Roman comedies, some of which were themselves translations of lost Greek comedies of the fourth century BC.
Commedia dell'arte • Performers made use of well-rehearsed jokes and stock physical gags, known as Lazzi, as well as on-the-spot improvisation usually involving a practical joke. • Characters were identified by costumes, masks, and props • As traveling troupes, to relate to the local towns, they would add references to popular culture of the day (local color)
Exposition • The lovers love themselves and love the idea of being in love with each other • Il Dottore wants the innamorata to marry well, usually to Pantalone • Pantalone wants to get rich • The servants want better masters, or more freedom • Capitano wants all the women
Rising Action • The lovers meet up and declare undying love • Pantalone and dottore meet up to discuss marriage • Capitano tries to seduce a maid to get to the innamorata • The servants make deals with the lovers for their help in exchange for what they want
Climax • The lovers are separated – how will they ever be together now!? • Pantalone is in dealings to marry the innamorata against her will • Capitano tries to force himself on the lady, despite her refusals • The innamorata is locked up, or banished, or captured
Resolution • The lovers can be together and get married • Pantalone’s plans are thwarted • The servants either are rewarded for their work or punished, depending on what side they are on • Capitano finds a different girl and moves on, or gets into trouble and is forced to marry
Characters • Innamorati = Gnomeo and Juliet • Columbina = Nanette (the frog) • Arrlechino = Featherstone (the Flamingo) • Capitano = Tybalt • Il Dottore = Juliet’s father
Plotline • The two lovers meet, and fall in love. • They cannot be together because of their families. • The friends try to help, encouraging them to be together. • Tragedy occurs, and the lovers are separated. • Miraculously, everything works out ok.
