Commedia Dell’Arte

1. Commedia Dell’Arte

2. History • Developed in 16th-17th century Italy • “Comedy of the profession” • Improvised dialogue based on basic plot outline (scenarios) • Feature stock characters that wore masks • Pokes fun at society and politics

3. Commedia Troupes • Traveled from town to town and performed on outdoor stages • Often played one character until age intervened • Made up of about 10-11 actors, male and female

4. Stock Characters • Masters • Servants • Lovers

5. Il Capitano • Cowardly, bragging soldier • Foreigner, often has accent • Often a suitor, but rarely gets the girl • Stands tall with a wide stance when bragging, but cowers and shivers when afraid • Mask with long nose

6. Pantalone • Wealthy, miserly merchant • Obsessed with money and losing it • Thinks he is a ladies man • Paranoid that everyone is after his money • Older, but still agile • Often clutches his money purse • Curled, pointed beard and a cape

7. Il Dottore • Doctor by claims • Claims to know everything, but really knows nothing • Loves to hear himself speak, but is always wrong • Bounces when walks and uses a lot of space • Talks with his hands • Mask over forehead and nose

8. The LoversInamorato / Inamorata • No mask • One male, one female often with names that are a masculine and feminine version of the same • Selfish, silly, whiny • Eloquent and fancy

9. Arlecchino (Harlequin) • Acrobatic servant • Servant to Pantalone, but more intelligent • Amorous • Multicolored costume (patches) • Cat-like mask

10. Brighella • Often in search of a fight or food • Clever and womanizing • Stands with stomach out • Hooked nose and villainous eyes

11. Zanni • Un-intelligent servant • Often falls asleep • Comic purpose • Very long nose