Costume
The costumes and masks in Commedia dell' Arte were stock for each character. This made them easily identifiable to the audience. Each troop wore a variation of the traditional costumes. The characters also wore elaborate half masks.
PANTALONE
Pantalone is a vecchi. He has spent a lifetime saving all his money, and he doesn't want to spend it. He is usually the father to one or more of the innamorati. He wants to make money, and appear as rich and powerful. Although old, he considers himself young and attractive to the ladies. He often tries to seal the young leaders, especially if it betters his financial state. Pantalone is not evil and usually gives into his children's wants by the end.
Traditionally Pantalone wears red and black. He also wears a device that makes him look erect. His leggings later became known as pantaloons, which was then shortened to 'pants'.
Pantalone is a vecchi. He has spent a lifetime saving all his money, and he doesn't want to spend it. He is usually the father to one or more of the innamorati. He wants to make money, and appear as rich and powerful. Although old, he considers himself young and attractive to the ladies. He often tries to seal the young leaders, especially if it betters his financial state. Pantalone is not evil and usually gives into his children's wants by the end.
Traditionally Pantalone wears red and black. He also wears a device that makes him look erect. His leggings later became known as pantaloons, which was then shortened to 'pants'.
IL DOTTORE
Il Dottore is also a vecchi. He is not a doctor, he just has a degree, or several. He claims to be an expert on anything including law, medicine and philosophy. He proves this claim by talking at length about nonsense. he goes off on tangents, misquotes, but usually thinks that he is knowledgeable about the subject at hand. Il Dottore is usually either friends or enemies with Pantalone, depending on the Scenario.
Traditionally, il Dottore wore black.
Il Dottore is also a vecchi. He is not a doctor, he just has a degree, or several. He claims to be an expert on anything including law, medicine and philosophy. He proves this claim by talking at length about nonsense. he goes off on tangents, misquotes, but usually thinks that he is knowledgeable about the subject at hand. Il Dottore is usually either friends or enemies with Pantalone, depending on the Scenario.
Traditionally, il Dottore wore black.
ARLECCHINO
Arlecchino is a zanni. He is a servent, usually to one of the vecci. He is a trickster and a fool. He likes to trick the vecchi, so that couples can be married. He is nimble and quick, and would prefer to exit by somersault, then by just walking out. He is usually in love with Colombina, or he is married to Arlecchina.
Traditionally he wears a multi coloured chequered suit. He usually carried a slap stick, as stick that made a slapping sound. Hence the name of 'slapstick' comedy.
Arlecchino is a zanni. He is a servent, usually to one of the vecci. He is a trickster and a fool. He likes to trick the vecchi, so that couples can be married. He is nimble and quick, and would prefer to exit by somersault, then by just walking out. He is usually in love with Colombina, or he is married to Arlecchina.
Traditionally he wears a multi coloured chequered suit. He usually carried a slap stick, as stick that made a slapping sound. Hence the name of 'slapstick' comedy.
BRIGHELLA
Brighella is a zanni. He is often Arlecchino's brother or croony. He is cowardly, and like Pantalone, will do anything for money. He is described as "he will sell you his sister; his only redeeing quality is that he does not have a sister, but you wont find that out until it is too late to get your money back." He is blinded by greed, and uses a knife to try and steal characters money bags.
Traditionally he wears a green half mask.
Brighella is a zanni. He is often Arlecchino's brother or croony. He is cowardly, and like Pantalone, will do anything for money. He is described as "he will sell you his sister; his only redeeing quality is that he does not have a sister, but you wont find that out until it is too late to get your money back." He is blinded by greed, and uses a knife to try and steal characters money bags.
Traditionally he wears a green half mask.
CAPITANO
Capitano is a newcomer, usually of Spanish origin. He tells of great heroic deeds, and claims that he is a fearful warrior. Really he is a coward, and would run and scream in danger. He considers himself desirable to the ladies, and boasts about himself to seduce them. Some fall into his trap, but others see through it. He creates grandiose titles for himself, and often speaks in third person.
Traditionally Capitano wears a military uniform of the colours red and gold. He has a long nose on his mask, and a long sword.
Capitano is a newcomer, usually of Spanish origin. He tells of great heroic deeds, and claims that he is a fearful warrior. Really he is a coward, and would run and scream in danger. He considers himself desirable to the ladies, and boasts about himself to seduce them. Some fall into his trap, but others see through it. He creates grandiose titles for himself, and often speaks in third person.
Traditionally Capitano wears a military uniform of the colours red and gold. He has a long nose on his mask, and a long sword.
PULCHINELLO
Pulchinello is stupid, pretending to be crafty or intelligent pretending to be foolish, depending on different troupes. He was a later addition to the Commedia dell' Arte characters. Pulchinello was typically a more violent character. He was considered to be cruel, and he was always hungry and begging for food. Pulchinello was a favourite in Southern Italy, whereas Arlecchino was a favourite in the North.
Traditionally he wears a baggy white smock, and a cap. He had a long nose, and a humped back.
Pulchinello is stupid, pretending to be crafty or intelligent pretending to be foolish, depending on different troupes. He was a later addition to the Commedia dell' Arte characters. Pulchinello was typically a more violent character. He was considered to be cruel, and he was always hungry and begging for food. Pulchinello was a favourite in Southern Italy, whereas Arlecchino was a favourite in the North.
Traditionally he wears a baggy white smock, and a cap. He had a long nose, and a humped back.
COLOMBINA
Colombina is a servetta. She is usually employed by one of the innamorata or vecchi, but she takes pleasure in annoying them. She is smart, crafty, and observant. Colombina sees through the schemes, and unravels them, tricking the antagonist in the process. She loves and lusts for men. She usually chases after Capitano, but ends up with one of the zanni. She usually trust the zanni with a task in the hope that they will better themselves.
Traditionally Colombina wears a dress. She does not wear a mask.
Colombina is a servetta. She is usually employed by one of the innamorata or vecchi, but she takes pleasure in annoying them. She is smart, crafty, and observant. Colombina sees through the schemes, and unravels them, tricking the antagonist in the process. She loves and lusts for men. She usually chases after Capitano, but ends up with one of the zanni. She usually trust the zanni with a task in the hope that they will better themselves.
Traditionally Colombina wears a dress. She does not wear a mask.