Commedia dell arte

Stock Characters

The MASTERS

Who are the Masters?

Pantalone

Il Dottore

Il Capitano

Isabella

The Lovers

Pantalone

 Origins – Venetian Merchant

Status – Top of the order, Pantalone has money

Costume – Black jacket, red tights,

yellow shoes

Stance – Old man’s stoop Walk – Small stepsMovement – looking around, falls on back with bad newsGesture – Hands Active/Behind Back

Characteristic – Everything can be bought

Animal – Chicken

Repertorio – Never well, news is always bad

Pantalone’s mask

Il Dottore

 Origins – Carnival figureStatus – Bachelor or widower; One of the father to the loversCostume – Black academic dress

Stance – Big belly; weight on heels

Walk – Small steps in a figure eight

Movement – Static

Gesture – Needs all the space for himself

Characteristic – Knows everything about everything

Animal – Pig

Repertorio – I have a story about that..

Il Dottore’s mask

El Capitano

 Origins – fake Spanish mercenary

Status – A loner; Pretends high status but loses it

Costume – Military attire

Stance – In attention or stand at ease Walk – Big steps – maximum spaceMovement – Straight back, big stridesGesture – Extravagant and sustained

Characteristic- Political - if the Turks invade, he

becomes a Turk-Total coward-Danger to himself-Thinks he is good looking and God’s

giftAnimal – PeacockRepertorio – I’d crush you like an onion between my teeth

El Capitano’s mask

 The Lovers

Name: ImmoratiPhysical: young, attractive, latest fashionMask: No maskWalk: ballet/based on dance masterGesture: AiryCharacteristic: Can’t solve own problems

Isabella

 Origins – from a 16th century

Status – Prima Donna – daughter of Pantalone

Costume – Well dressed

Speech – refined

Characteristics -Flirtatious, provocative and stubborn

The Servants

Who are the Servants?

The servants are made up of the ZANNI

Working class and bottom of the rung but even they have a pecking order

They include : Arlecchino; Brighella; Colombina; Perdolino; PulcinellaTartagalia;

Arlecchino

Origins: Zanni – servant from the country. Means “little devil.”Status: Usually servant to Pantalone. Relationships: In love with Columbina or IsabellaCostume: Peasant costume – patches

Props: Slapstick

Stance: Bent ready to jump, hands in belt

Walk: Zanni walk, more ballet/3time step

Movement: Mask first, then body

Gesture: Slow brain – fast movement/hands

Characteristics: never the loser – not maliciousAnimal: cat/monkeyAudience: Sometimes aware of themRepertorio: Actions like falling down

Arlecchino’s Mask

Brighella Origins: First zanni – “brig” means troubleStatus: Base Zanni/ Head waiterRelationship: Unscrupulous – will sell mother to make moneyNever a victimCostume: White with green chord

Props: dagger

Stance: first position ballet, chest forward

Walk: Zanni torso side to side, head straight

Movement: cat like panther

Characteristics: Astute, humorous, quick-witted, sarcastic

Animal: Lazy cat toying with mouse

Repertorio: Always hungry, thinks he’s cool

Brighella mask

Colombina

Status: Maid to immorati (lovers)Relationships: Loves Arlecchino and is friendly; pestered by other menCostume: maids dress

Props: basket

Stance: One knee bent - other extended

Walk: Flick of foot – zanni walk

Movements: fast and nimble

Gesture: on hips, good mimic

Characteristics: Only rational person, self-sufficient, non-negative

Animal – Doe

Audience – With them, can see what fools the rest are.

PulcinellaOrigins: Means “little chicken” Status: banker/lawyerRelationship: has a loved one/ domesticatedPhysical: humped backCostume: baggy white costume with belt

Props: crude – short slapstickStance: weight on one legWalk: small/ jerky skipMovements: slow and top heavyGesture: Broad and sparring

Characteristics: Either played stupid pretending to be clever or clever pretending to be stupid

Animal: Rooster

Audience: Direct and quarrelsome

Pulcinella mask

Pedrolino or Pierrot

Origins: developed over time

Status: bottom of pecking order

Relationship: youngest son

Physical: small

Costume: baggy white costume – doesn’t fit

No Mask – white face

Stance: Third position

Walk: straight lines

Movements: head moves like a chicken

Gesture: elbows up

Characteristics: Strong in the face of misery. Totally honest; always tired

Animal: Pack mule – human animal

Audience: A loner – sometimes doesn’t speak – a mute

TartagliaOrigins: Means “to stammer” Status: banker/lawyerRelationship: older man – friend of the mastersPhysical: pot bellied and completely baldCostume: green and yellow

Stance: weight on heels; belly forward

Walk: a waddle

Characteristics:A stammer – get stuck on words and has to use others

Animal: Duck