Commedia Dell’Arte Stock Characters

Eliette Albrecht and Laurie Ellen Moore

*hint for the freshies: if we

have bolded something, it’s

probably important...and that’s what you want to write down, instead of the extra information

around it. :) also, shorthand is

your friend.

*note: we are only presenting the stock

characters that will make an appearance in our skit. Commedia

Dell’Arte makes use of many characters

and it would take a v. long time to take all of the notes for them down. :)

Arlecchino - Harlequin

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● He is a servant and wears patched, bright clothing. It is sometimes suggested that Arlecchino is of African origin, or a “sunburnt inhabitant of the mountains.” o in any case, he is physically darker than the other characters Hoarse voice Always carries a slapstick

Represented by a cat, monkey, or fox

o

represents his cunning nature

In love with Columbina...or basically any other girl. Arlecchino is not picky.

He is different from the other “troublemaking” characters because he’s actually pretty

smart.

o He can “hatch out schemes...though they rarely work out as planned.” o

The plot usually moves along because of some mistake Arlecchino makes.

He is not dumb, nor particularly intelligent, but rather, clever.

Arlecchino

examples: Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Zeke from HSM

Capitano - Captain

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● A loner He wears a “splendid military uniform” He is of Spanish origin, and one of the oldest Commedia Stock Characters: he was created to make fun of Spanish soldiers in Italy during the Renaissance.

Physically large, intimidating--but quite cowardly

Often has a sword on hand, but he doesn’t ever really use it.

“Loud basso profundo, turning to castrato squeak when frightened” He is represented by a hunting dog or a peacock “who has moulted all but one of his tail feathers” but does not realize it.

o Analogy: he swaggers around without realizing how ridiculous he looks.

Employed by Pantalone to do his dirty work for him, and fears Arlecchino because he

is often outwitted by him.

***Special trait: Salutes the audience every time he comes onstage “so he can be admired”

Plot function: PRIDE → HUMILITY

Capitano

examples: Puss in Boots (from Shrek), Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, Mrs. Darbus from

HSM

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Il Dottore - The Doctor

Smart and annoying. Shoves his intelligence in your face-- “pompous” Usually the father to one of the lovers.

“Black academic dress”--think robes like what a judge wears.

Il Dottore “has not cured” anyone, ever. Large “Fussy” and booming speech

Represented by a pig, lizard, or owl (owl is purposely ironic)

Master of Pedrolino and love/hate relationship with Pantalone. Plot function: never shuts up and sometimes has to be carried offstage by the other characters while he continues talking. Gives the other characters a break.

Il Dottore

examples: Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama, Maurice from Beauty and the Beast, Taylor from

HSM

Pantalone - The Banker

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Has a lot of control, since he is in charge of almost everyone’s finances. o for this reason, he’s usually obeyed. Wears black, grey, and red, “preserving the ancient Venetian costume”: “[t]ight-fitting long red trousers... and stockings, a short, tight-fitting jacket, a loose long black cloak..., [red] skull-cap and yellow turkish slippers.” Originated from “god of the dying year” at Carnival o “the winter to the innamorati’s summer” Usually wears a gold chain, an expensive-looking handkerchief, a dagger, and a very

visible money pouch.

Basically this guy is walking rich man

Speech is “a high-pitched chicken squawk”

Represented by the chicken, turkey, or crab.

Only good aspect: “transparency”

Plot function: THE ANTAGONIST

Pantalone

examples: Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, Leonato from Much Ado About Nothing, Mrs.

Darbus from HSM

Pedrolino - The Runt

● ● ● ● ● ● ● The “butt of [practical and verbal] jokes,” usually about his cowardice, but “never loses his dignity”

Wears white, baggy hand-me-downs

Youthful and cute Very light, airy voice o sometimes mute Represented by a dog or a baby bird

A loner

o

Sometimes used: in this case, he will blame himself for the failure of the relationship (and not the girl who deceived him)

Plot function: “warm-up” the show, usually can only try to escape what the others have planned for him.

Pedrolino

examples: Zeke, Martha from HSM

Scarramuccia - Musician Soldier

● ● ● ● ● Boasting and clever, but cowardly o A Capitano of sorts

Italian AND French in origin: In Italy, he is more of a musician, in France, a soldier.

o his personality does not change, though: he’s still “a buffoon.” “Talented and artistic, the...Scaramouche...also...sang with a good voice and played the lute…[in most pictures] Scaramouche [is shown] with a lute or a guitar.” All-black clothing: tights, a short cloak, a fitted vest Plot function: “stir up complications,” quarrelsome, wants to prove himself, gets mad very quickly

Scarramuccia

variant of the captain- Kelsi from HSM

Brighella - Servant

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Usually a “backup” for Arlecchino

“Thrives on double dealings, intrigue, and foul play” o usually just clever, but can be cruel (a lot more so than Arlecchino) o Liar, never feels bad when caught Costume usually “trimmed in green” Lazy, but can be fast if he wants to be.

Represented by a rat, snake, or large cat Carries around a dagger to steal others’ money bags

Plot function: stir up trouble, possibly a “side antagonist”

Brighella

ex: Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, George Sr. from Arrested Development, Ryan from HSM

La Ruffiana - Flirtatious Woman

● ● ● ● ● ● ● Usually an ex-“lover” (...), can be an old woman or a young lady o Can be a gypsy as well  if she is, she is almost like a witch Origin: the Romanichal Gypsies (and thus the fear surrounding them) Vengeful tendencies: if her power is not respected at first, the characters learn to do so.

Sought out by the Lovers for advice OR can try to SPLIT THEM UP because she is chasing the Inamorato

“She can be the neighborhood gossip, a homeless peasant, a kind old lady who tries to play matchmaker, a long-lost mother, a witch, and a flirt chasing after the men of any age”

Costume: as flamboyant as possible Plot function: adds mystery and sometimes humor, can be on either the protagonist’s or antagonist’s side.

La Ruffiana

examples: Sharpay Evans from HSM, the evil queen from Disney’s Enchanted

Inamorato - Boy in Love

● ● ● ● ● ● ● Son of a wealthy family, pride and joy o High status brought low because he is so infatuated with Inamorata Very nice, very masculine, attractive Origin: mockery of the Italian Renaissance courts Language: regal, “courtly”

Represented by a lion cub

Flamboyantly in love; trouble communicating with the Girl because of nerves

Plot Function: MAIN CHARACTER.

o Without him, there is no play. Everything revolves around him, and everyone’s actions onstage revolve around him, too.

Inamorato

ex: Troy from HSM, Romeo from Romeo and Juliet, pretty much any cliché chick flick

hero

Inamorata - Girl in Love

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● “Prima Donna”

Used the latest fashion.

Origin: Italian.

Young, attractive Flirtatious, prone to mood swings, very strong temperament.

Represented by a pink flamingo or a lovebird.

Spoke in a refined way, not pompous, and always has the right words to say.

Plot Function: Depends on the subtype of Inamorata: she may be a passive damsel in distress and have all the action around her, or she may be more proactive.

Inamorata

ex: Gabriella from HSM, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, any stereotypical chick flick girl

Sources (URLs only)

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Arlechinno.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Capitano.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Dottore.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Innamorati.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Isobella.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Pantalone.htm

http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Pedrolino.htm

http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/scaramouche.html

http://filer.case.edu/org/commedia/masks/scaramuccia.html

http://theitalianwayof.blogspot.com/2012/02/scaramuccia.html

http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/brighellamask.htm

http://filer.case.edu/org/commedia/masks/ruffiana.html

https://sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/the-characters