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Commedia dell’ Arte 1500’s Italy. The origins of comic archetypes ( or…where you got all the the ideas you have about comedy). What is the Commedia?. Commedia may have evolved out of Ancient Roman Comedy.
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Commedia dell’ Arte 1500’s Italy The origins of comic archetypes ( or…where you got all the the ideas you have about comedy)
What is the Commedia? • Commedia may have evolved out of Ancient Roman Comedy. • Commedia is fast, physical comedy that is performed in the streets of towns, courtyards of inns, and in homes of the wealthy.
Who were the actors? • Professional companies of 7 men and 3 women. • First women actors to play women’s roles. • Actors needed to be able to: • Sing • Dance • Do improvisational acting. • Fight • Do acrobatics
What did the performances look like? • Shows were improvisational in the streets. • Actors used a highly physical style of comedy - (think Jim Carey in his early films) • Plots resembled TV sitcoms of today. • Acting Companies would use the same characters ( stock) in every play. • Actors would specialize in one character and play if for the length of their career.
The Comic Archetypes • #1 The Innocents ( straight characters) • #2 The Trickster (a servant characters) • #3 The Fool ( a servant characters) • #4 The Know-It-All ( a master character) • #5 The Scrooge ( a master character) • #6 The Braggart ( a master character)
Comic Stock Character- Archetype #1 The Innocent ( Straight Characters) Also known as the Innamorati ( lovers) • Often at the center of the plot, the protagonist. • Not aware of the true nature of the world • Naïve and/or sentimental • Innocence comes from a lack of knowledge or experience, not from a lack of intelligence. • Idealistic and good natured. • Often dependant on parents or guardians.
The Innocents The Lovers
Innocents you might recognize: • Often at the center of the plot, the protagonist. • Not aware of the true nature of the world • Naïve and/or sentimental • Innocence comes from a lack of knowledge or experience, not from a lack of intelligence. • Idealistic and good natured. • Often dependant on parents or guardians.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #2 Columbina The Trickster ( A Servant) • Helps or hinders the innocent • Makes thing happen, a catalyst for action • Willing to bend society’s rules • Clever, witty, and/or unscrupulous • Takes advantage of situations • Schemes or plots.
Tricksters you might recognize: • Helps or hinders the innocent • Makes thing happen, a catalyst for action • Willing to bend society’s rules • Clever, witty, and/or unscrupulous • Takes advantage of situations • Schemes or plots.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #3 Pierrot The Fool ( A Servant) • Often a helper or sidekick • May solve problems by dumb luck • Exaggerated version of the Innocents • Unpredictable, with a distorted conception of reality. Harlequin/Arlecchino
Fools you might recognize: • Often a helper or sidekick • May solve problems by dumb luck • Exaggerated version of the Innocents • Unpredictable, with a distorted conception of reality.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #4 The Know-It-All ( A Master) • Shows off supposed knowledge • Tries to act and sound as important as possible • Assumes to know everything about everything • Can be pompous and/or condescending. Il Dottore
Know-It-Alls you might recognize: • Shows off supposed knowledge • Tries to act and sound as important as possible • Assumes to know everything about everything • Can be pompous and/or condescending.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #5 • The Scrooge ( A Master) • Often the antagonist • Usually an authority figure • Miserly with money, possessions, and/or emotions • Often mean-spirited, cranky, or ill-tempered. Pantalone
Scrooges you might recognize: • Often the antagonist • Usually an authority figure • Miserly with money, possessions, and/or emotions • Often mean-spirited, cranky, or ill-tempered
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #6 • The Braggart ( A Master) • Assumes the ability to do anything. • Believes that he is strong and handsome. • A show off. • Given to loud and empty boasting. • A cowardly bully. Il Capitano
Braggarts you might recognize: • Assumes the ability to do anything. • Believes that he is strong and handsome. • A show off. • Given to loud and empty boasting. • A cowardly bully.