Drama Commedia Dell Arte Analysis

Drama Commedia Dell ‘Arte Assessment

Aron Thomas The Context

Commedia Dell ‘Arte is a style of theatre that orignated in Italy during the 16th centuary. The plays were almost always performed in large outdoor public spaces, such as a town plaza, and instead of relying heavily on elaborate scenery, used props such as the batocchio. The batocchio translates as the “slap stick”, and the batocchio was essentialy two wooden boards which would hit each other when the batocchio was whacked against a person, creating a large audio effect, yet actually not causing serious injury to the person being hit. Another key element of Commedia Dell ‘Arte was the extensive use of masks, which allowed actors to immediately define themselves as one of the few stock characters of the play, although the fact that the masks were half masks enabled facial expressions to still be utilised to create an appropriate atmposphere. The masks were completely extravegant, and complemented the equally ridiculous costumes and style of acting well. Commedia Dell ‘Arte differed from many previous types of theatre in the fact that the performances were improvised. This held many advantages, such

One of Arlecchino defining qualities is that he is always moving, and he is capable of performing many impressive moves, such as cartwheels, flips and other acrobatic moves. His knees are bent, and he has a low centre of gravity, allowing him to spring up at anything that may interest him. Arlecchino often carries a batocchio, as physical comedy is his most common way of entertaing an audience. The batocchio is an extension of Arlecchino’s character, because it allows Arlecchino to create excessive physical moments, and turn the centre of the action to him. Arlecchino is sly and devious, whose main priority is to outsmart his masters, although he often fails in this. His mask is deisgned to be similar to a cat’s face, with a short