Commedia dell'arte: A Journey Through Masks and Characters
What is Commedia dell'arte?
Commedia dell'arte literally means "theater performed by people of the art." In the 16th century, the word "art" referred to a profession, so Commedia dell'arte referred to theater performed by professional actors, forming a popular and often improvised show.
History and Origins
Commedia dell'arte originated in Italy in the 16th century and was a popular comedic theater where each character spoke in a dialect representing different regions of the country. Acting troupes traveled from town to town, performing in the streets and public squares. The actors improvised on a predefined outline, with a strong focus on gestures. The comedy was often based on clowning, acrobatics, and antics.
The actors wore masks that did not cover the lower part of their faces, allowing them to make grimaces while still speaking loudly. This added a great visual and dynamic element to the performances.
Influence on Modern Theater
As a child, Molière attended several Commedia dell'arte performances in Paris and was inspired by them for his own works, creating a bridge between Italian popular theater and French comedy. Thanks to this influence, Commedia dell'arte greatly contributed to the evolution of modern comedy.
The Comedic Characters of Commedia dell'arte
The characters of Commedia dell'arte are varied and have specific roles in the plays. Here’s an overview of the key characters.
The Zannis: The Comical Servants
The Zannis (or servants) are the most foolish characters in Commedia dell'arte. They come from the countryside, often poor, and are quick-witted, cunning, and mischievous. The Zannis include characters like Harlequin, Brighella, Pulcinella, and Pierrot.
Harlequin
- Character: Harlequin is a joyful and lazy servant, always hungry and ready to manipulate others to fill his stomach. He is also an expert in acrobatics and antics.
- Costume and Mask: His costume is made of colorful diamond-shaped fabric pieces, and his mask is simple, with a small nose and a bump on the forehead. He also carries a wooden bat, symbolizing his former role as a cowherd.
Brighella
- Character: Brighella is a cunning and boastful servant, often involved in deceptions and schemes. He can play various roles, from a tavern owner to a sergeant, and manipulates others for his own gain.
- Costume and Mask: Brighella wears a strange-shaped coat and headgear, with a purse and dagger at his belt. His mask is dark with a large mustache and prominent eyebrows.
Pulcinella
- Character: Pulcinella is an ungainly and slow-witted character but clever. He often plays the role of a thief or bandit and is known for his quick temper and interactions with Harlequin.
- Costume and Mask: He wears a white smock and a sugarloaf-shaped hat. His mask is often red or greenish, with a hooked nose and large eyebrows.
Pierrot
- Character: Pierrot is a sensitive and dreamy servant, often a rival to Harlequin in his quest to win Colombine’s love.
- Costume and Mask: He wears a white costume with large buttons, a ruff, and a hat adorned with ribbons. He does not wear a mask, but his face is often powdered.
The Old Men
The old men are city characters, often used for pranks. The most famous is Pantalone, an old Venetian merchant, miserly and gullible.
Pantalone
- Character: Pantalone is an old and skinny character, obsessed with his money and his search for a young wife. His servants often take advantage of him to play tricks.
- Costume and Mask: Pantalone wears red tights, Turkish slippers, a red vest, and a black overcoat. His mask is pale, with a hooked nose and warts.
The Soldiers: The Braggarts
The soldiers in Commedia dell'arte are often boastful characters, like Captain Matamore, who tells heroic tales but is actually a coward.
Captain Matamore
- Character: The Captain is a braggart who boasts of his war exploits, but he is actually a coward. He is often a comedic character, ridiculed for his arrogance.
- Costume and Mask: The Captain wears a large hat with feathers, a doublet, and a sword. His mask is wide, marked by a large nose and magnificent mustaches.
The Maskless Characters: The Maidservants and Lovers
Some characters do not wear masks, including the maidservants and lovers, roles sometimes played by women, as women were prohibited from performing on stage at the time.
Colombine
- Character: Colombine is a clever and devoted maidservant, often associated with Harlequin and Pantalone. She is also a liar and uses her charm to manipulate other characters.
- Costume and Mask: She wears a multicolored skirt and a white apron, and her mask is rarely worn, but when it is, it is feminine and quite simple.
The Lovers: Orazio and Isabelle
- Character: The lovers are young, beautiful, and often educated. They face various obstacles in their quest for love, often related to the intrigues of other characters.
Conclusion: Commedia dell'arte and its Legacy
Commedia dell'arte has greatly influenced theater and modern forms of comedy. From its iconic characters to its improvised performances, this living art continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.
To learn more about the masks of Commedia dell'arte and their impact on modern theater, you can visit this link. You will also find a selection of handcrafted masks inspired by these iconic characters on our website.
