What personality does Arlecchino have?
STATUS: Arlecchino is a shape shifting servant to Pantalone, Il Capitano or Il Dottore. A crafty low status character, Arlecchino tries to trick his patrons out of money, but usually fails. Arlecchino is very quick, acrobatic and limber. He’s not as intelligent as Brighella, but he is not as stupid as the Zannis.
What are the physical traits of Zanni?
The stance of Zanni has a “lowered centre of gravity” either from the earth or from carrying heavy bags and chairs. Zanni’s back is arched when he stands up and his knees are bent and apart with splayed feet. The support knee is bent and the other leg is extended with his toe pointed.
What are three characteristics of commedia dell arte?
Originating in Renaissance Italy, but achieving popularity across Europe, Commedia Dell’Arte is a special type of improvised comedy. It involves stock characters – comic servants, young lovers, self-important pedants and soldiers – each one recognisable by stylised costumes, masks and exaggerated gestures.
What are the physical traits of Pantalone?
Pantaloon dressed in a tight-fitting red vest, red breeches and stockings, a pleated black cassock, slippers, and a soft brimless hat. Later versions of the character sometimes wore long trousers (pantaloons). His mask was gaunt and swarthy with a large hooked nose, and he had a disorderly gray goatee.
How does Arlecchino look like?
Physically, Arlecchino is described as wearing a costume covered in irregular patches, a hat outfitted with either a rabbit or fox’s tail, and a red and black mask. The mask itself is identified by carbuncles on the forehead, small eyes, a snub nose, hollow cheeks, and sometimes bushy brows with facial hair.
What is a zanni in Commedia Dell arte?
Zanni, plural zanni or zannis, stock servant character in the Italian improvisational theatre known as the commedia dell’arte. Zanni were valet buffoons, clowns, and knavish jacks-of-all-trades. All possessed common sense, intelligence, pride, and a love of practical jokes and intrigue.
What type of animal are the zanni supposed to represent?
The name ‘Zanni’ is a diminutive of Venetian name ‘Giovanni’ (John) and we get our English word ‘zany’ from this, which gives you an idea of the nature of this character! The Zanni character was a buffoon or clown and known in those days as a simpleton or ‘stupid incompetent fool’!
What does commedia dell’arte involve?
Commedia dell’arte is a theatrical form characterized by improvised dialogue and a cast of colorful stock characters that emerged in northern Italy in the fifteenth century and rapidly gained popularity throughout Europe.
What does Pantalone do in commedia dell arte?
Pantalone is usually the father to one of the innamorati (the lovers), another stock character found in commedia. He is driven to keep his child and their respective lover apart.
What props did Pantalone use?
Pantalone typically wore tight red pants and a matching shirt, a long black cape, black or red pointed shoes, and a belt that had a purse attached. Pantalone also carried a knife and handkerchief, and wore glasses. His hat sat very close to his head, and did not have a brim – very much like a skullcap.
What is a lazzi in commedia dell’arte?
Lazzi is slapstick, physical comedy. Lazzi are the comedy routines of Commedia dell’ Arte. These routines are disconnected from the complex storylines and arise spontaneously. Specialized lazzi can be planned or unplanned, and can be acrobatic or absolutely obscene.
What kind of character is Arlecchino in commedia dell’arte?
Arlecchino, wearing a cat-like mask and a colorful patched costume, was known for being humorous. He was a poor and rebellious character, always hungry and not having any money.
Who was the Harlequin in the commedia dell’arte?
It was traditionally worn by the character Arlecchino (Harlequin in English) who was cast as a bit of a dim-wit, silly, simple minded person and perpetually hungry, again, in the Zanni genre. Arlecchino is one of the youngest characters of the comedy and the use of this character in the Commedia dell’Arte has been traced back to as early as 1593.
What is the meaning of commedia dell’arte?
Commedia Dell’Arte. Comedy of the Artists. In Italy during the 16th Century, a new type of comedy drama was commencing which gained immense popularity, and is still enjoyed today. Commedia Dell’Arte translates to comedy of professional players. There were many companies and they toured all over Europe and England.