Commedia Dell Arte Stock Characters

1666 Words4 Pages

Commedia Dell' Arte
Commedia Dell’ Arte is the bedrock of the comedic world. Originating in Italy, actors would come together in troops to perform this new and talented art form. Since Commedia Dell’ Arte groups traveled, they often would learn about the areas they were in and adapt their lazzi, or jokes, to fit with what is happening locally. Commedia Dell’ Arte performed often unwritten and improvised with a group of stock characters. Stock characters are characters who consist of basic stereotypical traits, finding themselves in the same comedic situations throughout the performance. All of these character’s were connected in way or another, therefore some traits were very similar and others different based on the character’s social and hereditary stance. Tons of these stock characters have been created, however around only a dozen were the main focus of this specific art. Four of these main stock characters are Arlecchino, Colombia, Dottore, and Isabella. Arlecchino is the servant to Pantalone who springs around the stage with charming ignorance yet moments of intelligence. In a scene, he is either always talking or completely silent. His character had the ability to be, at times, aware that he was performing in front of an audience and addressed this with asides. Plot wise, …show more content…

His costume design usually are a diamond pattern consisting of greens, yellows, reds, and browns, meant to represent the colors of leaves. He wears flat black shows and a beret or a felt hat with a narrow brim and feather. Arlecchino often would wear disguises and cross-dress. His lower face is covered in a black stocking, and his upper half is a full carnival mask with smaller eyes and a wart on the lower forehead. The mask was a deep tan to mimic the completions of those who lived in the mountains. His costume is tight-fitted in order for him to spring into action, ironically he has a clumsy mannerism about

Open Document