Commedia Dell’Arte Stock CharactersEliette Albrecht and Laurie Ellen Moore

*hint for the freshies: if we have bolded something, it’s probably important...and that’s what you want to write down, instead of the extra information around it. :) also, shorthand is your friend.

*note: we are only presenting the stock characters that will make an appearance in our skit. Commedia Dell’Arte makes use of many characters and it would take a v. long time to take all of the notes for them down. :)

Arlecchino - Harlequin● He is a servant and wears patched, bright clothing. ● It is sometimes suggested that Arlecchino is of African origin, or a

“sunburnt inhabitant of the mountains.”o in any case, he is physically darker than the other characters

● Hoarse voice● Always carries a slapstick● Represented by a cat, monkey, or fox

o represents his cunning nature● In love with Columbina...or basically any other girl. Arlecchino is not picky.● He is different from the other “troublemaking” characters because he’s

actually pretty smart. o He can “hatch out schemes...though they rarely work out as planned.” o The plot usually moves along because of some mistake Arlecchino

makes.● He is not dumb, nor particularly intelligent, but rather, clever.

Arlecchinoexamples: Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Zeke from HSM

Capitano - Captain● A loner● He wears a “splendid military uniform”● He is of Spanish origin, and one of the oldest Commedia Stock Characters:

he was created to make fun of Spanish soldiers in Italy during the Renaissance.

● Physically large, intimidating--but quite cowardly● Often has a sword on hand, but he doesn’t ever really use it.● “Loud basso profundo, turning to castrato squeak when frightened”● He is represented by a hunting dog or a peacock “who has moulted all but

one of his tail feathers” but does not realize it.o Analogy: he swaggers around without realizing how ridiculous he looks.

● Employed by Pantalone to do his dirty work for him, and fears Arlecchino because he is often outwitted by him.

● ***Special trait: Salutes the audience every time he comes onstage “so he can be admired”

● Plot function: PRIDE → HUMILITY

Capitanoexamples: Puss in Boots (from Shrek), Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, Mrs. Darbus from HSM

Il Dottore - The Doctor● Smart and annoying. Shoves his intelligence in your face-- “pompous”● Usually the father to one of the lovers.● “Black academic dress”--think robes like what a judge wears.● Il Dottore “has not cured” anyone, ever. ● Large● “Fussy” and booming speech● Represented by a pig, lizard, or owl (owl is purposely ironic)● Master of Pedrolino and love/hate relationship with Pantalone.● Plot function: never shuts up and sometimes has to be carried offstage by

the other characters while he continues talking. Gives the other characters a break.

Il Dottoreexamples: Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama, Maurice from Beauty and the Beast, Taylor from HSM

Pantalone - The Banker● Has a lot of control, since he is in charge of almost everyone’s finances.

o for this reason, he’s usually obeyed.● Wears black, grey, and red, “preserving the ancient Venetian costume”:

“[t]ight-fitting long red trousers... and stockings, a short, tight-fitting jacket, a loose long black cloak..., [red] skull-cap and yellow turkish slippers.”

● Originated from “god of the dying year” at Carnivalo “the winter to the innamorati’s summer”

● Usually wears a gold chain, an expensive-looking handkerchief, a dagger, and a very visible money pouch.

● Basically this guy is walking rich man● Speech is “a high-pitched chicken squawk”● Represented by the chicken, turkey, or crab.● Only good aspect: “transparency”● Plot function: THE ANTAGONIST

Pantaloneexamples: Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, Leonato from Much Ado About Nothing, Mrs. Darbus from HSM

Pedrolino - The Runt● The “butt of [practical and verbal] jokes,” usually about his cowardice,

but “never loses his dignity”● Wears white, baggy hand-me-downs● Youthful and cute● Very light, airy voice

o sometimes mute● Represented by a dog or a baby bird● A loner

o Sometimes used: in this case, he will blame himself for the failure of the relationship (and not the girl who deceived him)

● Plot function: “warm-up” the show, usually can only try to escape what the others have planned for him.

Pedrolinoexamples: Zeke, Martha from HSM

Scarramuccia - Musician Soldier

● Boasting and clever, but cowardlyo A Capitano of sorts

● Italian AND French in origin: In Italy, he is more of a musician, in France, a soldier.o his personality does not change, though: he’s still “a buffoon.”

● “Talented and artistic, the...Scaramouche...also...sang with a good voice and played the lute…[in most pictures] Scaramouche [is shown] with a lute or a guitar.”

● All-black clothing: tights, a short cloak, a fitted vest● Plot function: “stir up complications,” quarrelsome, wants to prove

himself, gets mad very quickly

Scarramucciavariant of the captain- Kelsi from HSM

Brighella - Servant● Usually a “backup” for Arlecchino● “Thrives on double dealings, intrigue, and foul play”

o usually just clever, but can be cruel (a lot more so than Arlecchino)o Liar, never feels bad when caught

● Costume usually “trimmed in green”● Lazy, but can be fast if he wants to be.● Represented by a rat, snake, or large cat● Carries around a dagger to steal others’ money bags● Plot function: stir up trouble, possibly a “side antagonist”

Brighellaex: Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, George Sr. from Arrested Development, Ryan from HSM

La Ruffiana - Flirtatious Woman● Usually an ex-“lover” (...), can be an old woman or a young lady

o Can be a gypsy as well if she is, she is almost like a witch

● Origin: the Romanichal Gypsies (and thus the fear surrounding them)● Vengeful tendencies: if her power is not respected at first, the characters

learn to do so.● Sought out by the Lovers for advice OR can try to SPLIT THEM UP

because she is chasing the Inamorato● “She can be the neighborhood gossip, a homeless peasant, a kind old lady

who tries to play matchmaker, a long-lost mother, a witch, and a flirt chasing after the men of any age”

● Costume: as flamboyant as possible● Plot function: adds mystery and sometimes humor, can be on either

the protagonist’s or antagonist’s side.

La Ruffianaexamples: Sharpay Evans from HSM, the evil queen from Disney’s Enchanted

Inamorato - Boy in Love● Son of a wealthy family, pride and joy

o High status brought low because he is so infatuated with Inamorata● Very nice, very masculine, attractive● Origin: mockery of the Italian Renaissance courts● Language: regal, “courtly”● Represented by a lion cub● Flamboyantly in love; trouble communicating with the Girl because of nerves● Plot Function: MAIN CHARACTER.

o Without him, there is no play. Everything revolves around him, and everyone’s actions onstage revolve around him, too.

Inamoratoex: Troy from HSM, Romeo from Romeo and Juliet, pretty much any cliché chick flick hero

Inamorata - Girl in Love● “Prima Donna”● Used the latest fashion.● Origin: Italian.● Young, attractive● Flirtatious, prone to mood swings, very strong temperament.● Represented by a pink flamingo or a lovebird.● Spoke in a refined way, not pompous, and always has the right words to

say.● Plot Function: Depends on the subtype of Inamorata: she may be a

passive damsel in distress and have all the action around her, or she may be more proactive.

Inamorataex: Gabriella from HSM, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, any stereotypical chick flick girl

Sources (URLs only)● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Arlechinno.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Capitano.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Dottore.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Innamorati.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Isobella.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Pantalone.htm● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Pedrolino.htm● http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/scaramouche.html● http://filer.case.edu/org/commedia/masks/scaramuccia.html● http://theitalianwayof.blogspot.com/2012/02/scaramuccia.html● http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/brighellamask.htm● http://filer.case.edu/org/commedia/masks/ruffiana.html● https://sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/the-characters