Early Modern Vocabulary

Question 1

What is Commedia dell’arte?

Answer 1

Emerged in Italy during the Renaissance era,
stock scenarios, stock characters, secular comedies, verbal and physical improvisation.
Distinctive costumes, postures, gestures, appetites
Some characters always wear masks, some never do

Question 2

What are the types of characters in Commedia dell’arte?

Answer 2

Lovers :
Inamorata (female lover)
Inamorato (male lover)
Masters:
Capitano (the soldier)
Dottore (the doctor)
Pantalone (old man/miser)
Servants (zanni):
Arlecchino (lusty gullible rogue, Harlequin)
Brighella (selfish schemer)
Columbina (saucy maid) …and many other derivatives
Working class trickster/Lord of Misrule:
Pulcinella (in England, Mister Punch of Punch & Judy)

Question 3

What is a lazzi?

Answer 3

comic sequence of physical stage buisness

Question 4

What did Martin Luther do?

Answer 4

Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints Church in Saxony (Germany)