Commedia Dell'Arte: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

[[File:Columbina.jpg|frame|Columbina, possibly the sanest character in the play, considers.]]

 

A form of theater developed in late-Renaissance Italy, '''Commedia dell'Arte''' ("artists' comedy") relied on a group of [[Stock Character|stock characters]], whose roles, characteristics, and costumes were well-defined and widely known. The troupe would take a scenario, which would outline the plot, and ad-lib all their dialog and the details of the action.

** '''Colombina''' (''Pierrette''): [[Distaff Counterpart]] of Arlecchino; servant of the ''innamorata''. Forms a [[Beta Couple]] with Arlecchino. [[Liz Lemon Job|Often the smartest/sanest person in the play.]] (What, [[Older Than They Think|you thought]] [[Women Are Wiser]] [[Older Than They Think|was a]] ''[[Older Than They Think|recent]]'' [[Older Than They Think|invention]]?) Usually plays a musical instrument, sings, dances, or does all three. Wears lots of bright colours. Also can be known as Arlecchina.

** '''Pierrot''' (''Pedrolino'', ''Pedro''): Loyal, hardworking, dependable servant; the story's [[Chew Toy]]. In love with someone, usually Colombina, who doesn't love him back. May be the [[Sad Clown]]. Usually dressed almost entirely in white, with a little bit of black. Variants include: Pedrolino, Burrattino, Bertoldo, Pagliaccio, Peppe Nappa, and Gian-Farina.

** '''Pulcinella''' (''[[Punch and Judy|Punch]]''): A hunchback or otherwise disabled/disfigured character, based on the stooping walk of Renaissance Italian coal carriers. Can be an idiot, can be a [[Genius Cripple]]. Very violent, especially towards Arlecchino and Pierrot, and speaks in an unusually squeaky voice. His name means "little chicken".

* '''Other characters'''

 

 

 

 

== [[Literature]] ==

* Carlo Goldoni's plays are classic Commedia dell'Arte.

* It is less evident from the book's final edition, but in ''The Master and Margarita'' by Mikhail Bulgakov two of the devil's servants bear some resemblance to the most popular zanni characters. Koroviev, the talkative trickster dressed in checked clothes brings to mind Arlecchino, and in certain early version of the novel there's a character called "Fiello", a hunchbacked brute with mouth full of fangs, dressed in white, grotesque clothes with bells attached, who seems to have some of Pulcinella's characteristics. The latter was subsequently modified by the writer to become Azazello, another servant of the devil. Azazello lacks any significant resemblance to Commedia dell'Arte characters.

* The characters do not fit the archetypes, but in ''[[The Vampire Chronicles|The Vampire Lestat]]'', the title character joins a Commedia dell'Arte troupe in his pre-vampire days. He plays Lelio, and counts his time as an actor among the best experiences in his human life.

* In [[John C. Wright]]'s ''[[The Golden Oecumene|The Golden Age]]'', Phaethon donns a Harlequin outfit for the Masquerade. The Earthmind salutes his fidelity when he greets her. Possibly inspired by this, his foes don the forms of Scaramouche and Columbine to pursue him.

* The story "Puss-in-Boots" in Angela Carter's ''[[The Bloody Chamber]]'' is essentially a commedia dell'arte play in prose form, with the titular cat helping his owner get in bed with Pantalone's young beautiful wife. Several stock characters of the genre are referred to by name.

 

* The characters of ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'' can do this frequently, although the main character, Michael Bluth, can shift between an Innamarata and a Pantalone multiple times in any given episode, most of the time, however, he is Pierrot.

** The Lovers: George Michael and Maebe, although Maebe tends to also often be the rare female version of Arlecchino.

** Pierrot: Poor, poor Michael Bluth.

 

 

 

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Ensembles]]