Commedia dell arte Stock Characters
The MASTERS
Who are the Masters? Pantalone Il Dottore Il Capitano Isabella The Lovers
Pantalone Origins – Venetian Merchant Status – Top of the order, Pantalone has money Costume – Black jacket, red tights, yellow shoes
Stance – Old man’s stoop Walk – Small steps Movement – looking around, falls on back with bad news Gesture – Hands Active/Behind Back
Characteristic – Everything can be bought Animal – Chicken Repertorio – Never well, news is always bad
Pantalone’s mask
Il Dottore Origins – Carnival figure Status – Bachelor or widower; One of the father to the lovers Costume – Black academic dress
Stance – Big belly; weight on heels Walk – Small steps in a figure eight Movement – Static Gesture – Needs all the space for himself
Characteristic – Knows everything about everything Animal – Pig Repertorio – I have a story about that..
Il Dottore’s mask
El Capitano Origins – fake Spanish mercenary Status – A loner; Pretends high status but loses it Costume – Military attire
Stance – In attention or stand at ease Walk – Big steps – maximum space Movement – Straight back, big strides Gesture – Extravagant and sustained
Characteristic - Political - if the Turks invade, he becomes a Turk -Total coward -Danger to himself -Thinks he is good looking and God’s gift Animal – Peacock Repertorio – I’d crush you like an onion between my teeth
El Capitano’s mask
The Lovers Name: Immorati Physical: young, attractive, latest fashion Mask: No mask Walk: ballet/based on dance master Gesture: Airy Characteristic: Can’t solve own problems
Isabella Origins – from a 16 th century Status – Prima Donna – daughter of Pantalone Costume – Well dressed
Speech – refined Characteristics - Flirtatious, provocative and stubborn
The Servants
Who are the Servants? The servants are made up of the ZANNI Working class and bottom of the rung but even they have a pecking order They include : Arlecchino; Brighella; Colombina; Perdolino; Pulcinella Tartagalia;
Arlecchino Origins: Zanni – servant from the country. Means “little devil.” Status: Usually servant to Pantalone. Relationships: In love with Columbina or Isabella Costume: Peasant costume – patches
Props: Slapstick Stance: Bent ready to jump, hands in belt Walk: Zanni walk, more ballet/3time step Movement: Mask first, then body Gesture: Slow brain – fast movement/hands
Characteristics: never the loser – not malicious Animal: cat/monkey Audience: Sometimes aware of them Repertorio: Actions like falling down
Arlecchino’s Mask
Brighella Origins: First zanni – “brig” means trouble Status: Base Zanni/ Head waiter Relationship: Unscrupulous – will sell mother to make money Never a victim Costume: White with green chord
Props: dagger Stance: first position ballet, chest forward Walk: Zanni torso side to side, head straight Movement: cat like panther
Characteristics: Astute, humorous, quick-witted, sarcastic Animal: Lazy cat toying with mouse Repertorio: Always hungry, thinks he’s cool
Brighella mask
Colombina Status: Maid to immorati (lovers) Relationships: Loves Arlecchino and is friendly; pestered by other men Costume: maids dress
Props: basket Stance: One knee bent - other extended Walk: Flick of foot – zanni walk Movements: fast and nimble Gesture: on hips, good mimic
Characteristics: Only rational person, self- sufficient, non- negative Animal – Doe Audience – With them, can see what fools the rest are.
Pulcinella Origins: Means “little chicken” Status: banker/lawyer Relationship: has a loved one/ domesticated Physical: humped back Costume: baggy white costume with belt
Props: crude – short slapstick Stance: weight on one leg Walk: small/ jerky skip Movements: slow and top heavy Gesture: Broad and sparring
Characteristics: Either played stupid pretending to be clever or clever pretending to be stupid Animal: Rooster Audience: Direct and quarrelsome
Pulcinella mask
Pedrolino or Pierrot Origins: developed over time Status: bottom of pecking order Relationship: youngest son Physical: small Costume: baggy white costume – doesn’t fit
No Mask – white face Stance: Third position Walk: straight lines Movements: head moves like a chicken Gesture: elbows up
Characteristics: Strong in the face of misery. Totally honest; always tired Animal: Pack mule – human animal Audience: A loner – sometimes doesn’t speak – a mute
Tartaglia Origins: Means “to stammer” Status: banker/lawyer Relationship: older man – friend of the masters Physical: pot bellied and completely bald Costume: green and yellow
Stance: weight on heels; belly forward Walk: a waddle Characteristics:A stammer – get stuck on words and has to use others Animal: Duck