Commedia Dell' Arte

Question 0

Stock Characters

Answer 0

A character who represents a type of person rather than an individual. Their characteristics and mannerisms are exaggerated and they may wear a particular costume in order that the audience can easily identify them.

Question 1

Motif

Answer 1

An idea or theme that appears repeatedly within a piece of literature or music, representing a dominant strand in the author’s/ composer’s intentions for the audience

Question 2

Running Gag

Answer 2

A comic action, expression or routine that is repeated throughout a scene or throughout the whole play, to make the audience laugh.

Question 3

Commedia dell’ arte

Answer 3

Italian form of theatre born in the middle of the 16th century.

Question 4

Lazzi

Answer 4

Set-pieces of comic business, often performed with acrobatic skill.

Question 5

Set-pieces

Answer 5

A carefully crafted piece of stage action that depicts a situation that is typical within the genre of the play. For example, in comedy, scenes of mistaken identity, concealment and chases.

Question 6

Anti-Climax

Answer 6

A disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events

Question 7

Subtext

Answer 7

The meaning behind the lines; what a character is thinking rather than saying

Question 8

Exposition

Answer 8

Usually the first scene of a play, which gives the audience much of the information they need to make the sense of the unfolding plot.

Question 9

denouement

Answer 9

Usually the first scene of a play, which gives the audience much of the information they need to make sense of the unfolding plot.

Question 10

Social Mileu

Answer 10

The social world which individual characters or groups of characters inhabit. ‘Servant’ presents a microcosm of 18th century society, peopled by a wealthy middle-class and their servants

Question 11

Ensemble

Answer 11

“The Commedia Actor would never work alone… There must be a constant awareness of the whole… You are literally all init together”

• Mazzoni Clementi

Question 12

History

Answer 12

Emerged from Carnival, developed te folk themes into theatrical medium

Question 13

Themes

Answer 13

• Love
• Money
• Hunger
• Survival
• Old age, fear, sex and jealousy

Question 14

Plot

Answer 14

Always looks forward never investigates the past.

Question 15

Movement

Answer 15

Never ugly but beautiful

Question 16

Style

Answer 16

Playing not acting

Question 17

Multi-lingualism

Answer 17

Reliance on Onomatopeia

Question 18

Props

Answer 18

“The object is not inferior to the actor, but equal in value. It is not unusual for an object to become a character” Antonio Fava

Question 19

Mask

Answer 19

To magnify and simultaneously give the essence of the character

Question 20

Characters

Answer 20

Represented each Italian State

• The Captin
• Pulcinella
• Lovers
• The Doctor
• Pantaloon
• Columbina
• Brighella
• Arlechino

Question 21

Pulcinella

Answer 21

chicken, melancholy

Question 22

The Captin

Answer 22

Big voice, rooster, strong and scared, peacock

Question 23

Lovers

Answer 23

Cat, diagonals

Question 24

Columbina

Answer 24

Beautiful, Dove, Hen, Intelligent

Question 25

The Doctor

Answer 25

Pig, master, Fat = Rich

Question 26

Brighella

Answer 26

Fox, violent, musical

Question 27

Arlechino

Answer 27

Cat, monkey, stupid, genius

Question 28

Pantalone

Answer 28

Loves money, horny old man, turkey