Commedia dell'Arte Characters Flashcards
Zanni
Lowest status servant and usually the sidekick.
Mask is inspired by birds of prey.
Motivated by food and is always hungry.
Its natural element is ‘earth’ as he is a peasant with a strong connection to the land.
Arlecchino / Arlecchina
Low status servant and court jester type.
Mask is inspired by a cat and a monkey.
Is playful and hyperactive but can be lazy.
Is ignorant but can be shy.
Is motivated by food and is always hungry.
Colombina can be Arlecchino’s love interest
Brighella
Low status servant, typically the ‘yes-man’
The servant to the master and the master to the servants.
The name comes from brigante ( meaning brigand, thug or outlaw)
Mask and character is inspired by a dog and a chicken
Is loyal and obliging to the master but is aggressive and mean to servants.
Pulcinella
Originates from Naples
The name comes from Pulcino meaning baby chick
The mask is inspired by a chicken and rooster
Is a scoundrel untrustworthy thief but charming and persuasive
Colombina
Female Zanni and an unmasked character.
She is a servant girl, but is strong, clever, charming and witty.
Her stance is strong and assertive with hand firmly placed on hips
II Dottore
High status character.
One of the old people.
He wears a half mask with a fat nose.
A parody of a university academic, originally from, Bologna
A pompous know-it-all who doesn’t know anything.
Sometimes the father of one of The Lovers.
Answers questions like a politician
Pantalone/ Pantalona
High status character
One of the old people
The mask is inspired by birds
A parody of a rich Venetian merchant
Pantalone derives from the Venetian pianta-leon
A cranky, rich, frugal old man. Or Pantalona the wife or widow of Pantalone.
Sometimes the father of one of the lovers.
The Lovers
High Status unmasked characters.
Often children of the old people
Their natural element is ‘air’
Their emotions are extreme, blissfully happy or completely depressed.
When moving they lead from the heart
Il Capitano
High status character
Originates from Spain and is a parody of a cowardly soldier.
Boastful and a liar.
Natural element is ‘fire’
Can be dangerous, wild and unpredictable.
The mask looks mean and is often red.
