Commedia Dell'Arte
History
Beginning during the Renaissance and lasting in to the eighteenth century, traveling tropes performed the Commedia Dell' Arte, the Italian comedy.
The company's ten or more actors each developed a specific type of character.
History
All of these characters wore masks.
Eventually their rolls were called Masks.
Female parts were original played by men, but later played by females.
Commedia dell'Arte: A Historical Overview
Subjects of Performances
Conventional plot lines were written on themes of sex, jealousy, love and old age
Many of the basic plot elements can be traced back to the Roman comedies of Plautus and Terence
However, it is more probable that the company and drew from current events and local news of the day.
Not all scenes were comic, there were some mixed forms and even tragedies.
Masks
Masks cannot be separated from the character.
Masks could be made of leather, paper or Makeup.
Companies
Companies, were troupes of actors, each of whom had a specific function or role.
These Compamies traveled throughout Europe (1580–1605)
Each troupe had its impresse (like a coat of arms) which symbolized its nature.
The Gelosi, used the two-headed face of the roman god Janus, to signify its comings and goings and relationship to the season of carnival.
Janus also signified the duality of the actor, who is playing a character or mask, while still remaining oneself.
Lazzi
The actors had specific comic business that they developed.
Before going onstage, actors would agree on a basic plot and a general idea of how it should be performed.
The improvised performances were never subtle; the humor was often bawdy and coarse.
Reception
Magistrates and clergy were not always receptive to the traveling
companies,
particularly during periods of plague,
and because of their itinerant nature.
The term
vagabondi
was used in reference to the actors vagabond.
A troupe often consisted of ten performers of familiar masked and unmasked types, and included women.
Characters
Emotion
Characters
The characters themselves are often referred to as "masks"
Commedia dell'arte has three main stock roles:
-
Servants
-
Masters
-
Innamorati (Lovers)
Servants
Arlecchino
Brighella
Pulcinello
Colombia
Arlecchino
- A penniless and bungler servant; he adapts himself to every circumstance, but he makes troubles and he always tries to find a remedy with clumsy ways. He has the face covered by a black mask and a brimmed hat; the dress is made with coloured cloth rhombs; and a purse (always empty!) called "scasela".
- traditionally wore an outfit of patches and rags which evolved into the motely seen today
- His mask was black with a large red blemish on his forehead similar to a boil
- The primary aspect of Arlecchino was his physical agility. While generally depicted as quite stupid and greedy, his acrobatics were what an audience expected to see.
- He would never simply perform an action when the addition of a cartwheel or backflip would spice up the movement.
Arlecchino
Characters influence by Arlechinno
Brighella
- a money-grubbing villain, a partner of Arlecchino
- He is a self made man, who has become comfortable by starting his own business, despite humble beginnings. He is often the proprietor of the local tavern. He is a very successful ladies' man.
- If he were a character of today, he would own a flashy car and have lots of flashy clothes and jewelry. He's a typical Latin lover macho man, with all the charm and drawbacks
Brighella
Brighella
Pulcinella
- His name means little chicken (Pulcino = day-old chick in Italian). His full name is Pulcinella Cetrulo (citrulo = stupid).
- A hunchback who still chases women, he was the model for Punch in the English variation Punch and Judy.
Pulcinella
Pulcinella
Colombina
-
She is Harlequin's mistress, a comic servant playing the tricky slave, and wife of Pierrot.
Colombina
Colombina
Masters
Pantalone
Il Doctorre
Il Capitano
Pantalone
- Pantalon is an old and stingy Venetian trader who believes only in money and in commerce; he is an authoritarian man, but often, his wife and his daughters cheat him.
- This mask has a red jacket, a belt with a purse, close fitting pants, a black mask, that covers half his face, with a hooked nose, white and pointed beard, a black mantle and yellow pointed shoes.
- Sometimes rich, sometimes poor, either a father or a bachelor old man, Pantalone is always mean, covetous, usurer, suspicious, careful and conservative but occasionally trusting and easily tending to fall in love.
- Bad-tempered but kind as well, always willing to give advice with his hoarse voice, his speech (usually to his own benefit) is long and dull; it is the hundred year-old child's wisdom.
Pantalone
Pantalone
Il Doctorre
-
Doctor Balanzone is a mask original of Bologna. He is a chattering old man who always walks with a big book under the arm, speaking wrong Latin and saying wrong proverbs and typical sentences that mean nothing. His mask has black paint, black like the shirt and the broad-brimmed hat; the collar is white, and from the belt sticks out a dagger or a handkerchief.
- The Doctor is the local aristocrat, who went all the way to Bologna to read for his degree. He is extremely rich, with "old" money. He adores food and good wines, thus he is a little round...
Il Doctorre
Il Doctorre
Il Capitano
- often an outsider who can maintain his claims only by benefit of the fact that none of the locals know him
- II Capitano uses bravado and excessive shows of manliness to hide his true cowardly nature.
- He often talks at length about made up conquests of both the militaristic and carnal nature in attempts to impress others, but often only ends up impressing himself. He gets easily carried away in his tales and doesn't realize when those around him don't buy his act.
- He is also extremely opportunistic and greedy.
Il Capitano
Il Capitano
Innamorati (Lovers)
Isabella
Flavio
Isabella
- She is generally portrayed as headstrong, sensuous, and articulate.
- She is typically depicted as Pantalone's daughter and he often tries to control her life by arranging meetings with inappropriate overaged gentlemen suitors.
- Men constantly fall hopelessly in love with her.
Isabella Poses
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Hands on cheek in praying position while one leg is outstretched (leaning)
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Hand on forehead as if fainting
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Chin resting on hands lying on top of each other or fingers interlocked and the head slightly tilted
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Leaning forewords while hands are locked behind stretching
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Feet always in ballet position
Isabella
Isabella
Flavio
-
He is vain, spoiled, full of doubt and have very little patience.
- Exist very much in a world of his own.
- Not in touch with reality
- Very Sheltered lives.
Flavio Poses
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Overly dramatic poses, even for commedia. Usually with the back of the hand against the forehead and the other hand outstretched reaching for something that is not there.
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Arms folded and the torso leaning back, usually reflecting a bad attitude or a rebellious nature.
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When with a female counterpart, poses with arms flexed in poses like WWF stars or body builders.
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Very low and elegant bow showing calf. Puts a flexed calf forward whenever possible.
-
Very expressive with the arms and hands, in a William Shatner fashion.
Flavio
Flavio
Commedia dell'arte
By Jeffrey Winkler
