Commedia DellArte

1
Commedia DellArte

• (comedy of the profession)

2
The Renaissance

• After the fall of Rome, Europe was plunged into
  the dark ages.
• In the late 15th century, the invention of the
  printing press was a catalyst for a rebirth of
  culture and art called the Renaissance.
• Artists, poets, sculptors and theatre artists
  flourished in this newly reawakened Europe.
• In Italy, troupes of traveling performers were
  presenting a new style of theatre

3
Commedia DellArte

• Troupes of actors used stock characters to create
  improvised scenes
• Stock characters were recognizable characters
  with specific traits and mannerisms
• Characters were also referred to as masks due to
  the fact that most actors wore a specific type of
  mask for each character.
• Lazzi, or comic business, was specific to each
  character

4
Characters/Masks

• The characters can be categorized as
• Old men (Pantalone, Dotorre)
• Young Men of Adventure (Capitano, Scaramuccia)
• Young lovers (Inammorati)
• Servants (Zanni)

5

• PANTALONE
• Status High usually had money
• Mask hooked nose, bushy eyebrows
• Costume Dark colors, black, gray and red
• Movements walks stooped over, often faints at
  bad news head moves quickly, body doesnt

6

• DOTTORE
• Status High usually appears well educated
• Mask some masks only covered forehead and nose
  others had a beard as well as larger nose
• Costume Black academic gown
• Movements stiff, poses, uses a lot of gestures
• Lazzi carries large instruments accidentally
  takes his own potions

7

• CAPITANO
• Status Never a native of the town in which the
  scene takes place, therefore he can pretend high
  status
• Mask Extremely long nose spiked mustash
• Costume boots hat with feather cape or long
  coat
• Movements stands with wide stance chest puffed
  out
• Lazzi speech about how he could overcome/kill
  anyone but theres always a reason why he wont

8

• ARLECHINNO
• Status servant (zanni)
• Mask rounded nose, wide eyes, usually tan or red
• Costume patchwork pants and top
• Movements he is quick physically and slow
  mentally stance is usually stooped due to low
  status
• Lazzi likes to stick his head through peoples
  legs likes to use a slapstick sommersaults
  screams when injured until silenced.

9

• COLUMBINA
• Status servant (zanni) ladys maid
• Mask just covers her eyes
• Costume similar to Arlechinnno but with an
  apron mob cap
• Movement poses that display her cleavage fast
  and nimble
• Lazzi appears before her name is called
  finishes sentences for her master brings order
  to chaos often beats male characters
• Often married to Arlechinno

10

• Pedrolino servant youthful and cute white
  face often pretended to be mute a mimic
• Pulchinella servant cranky carried a stick
  humped back large stomach mask with beaked nose
  and wrinkles
• Brighella servant cowardly villain who would do
  anything for money

11

• Scaramuccia Similar to Capitano
• RuffianaMother figure gossip large woman
  interferes with Inamorrati
• Inammorati Young lovers, often the sons or
  daughters of Pantalone or Dottore didnt wear
  masks