The Characters Of Commedia dell'Arte

Commedia is a form of mask theatre which uses “stock characters” in order to create improvised work. There are eight or so basic characters that all theatre troops would use, and these characters have set names, personalities and tricks which make them accessible for improvisation. There are three tiers in the commedia world hierarchy, to which all of the characters belong and derive their status from. Each character also possess “gimmies” which act as the characters basic desires and can be goals for them within a piece.

These are some of the character profiles for commedia.

Zanni-

Class- Zanni belongs to the servant class which is also known as the “Zanni” class.

Mask- long hooked nose, half mask to allow speech. In the commedia world, the length of a characters nose relates to their mental capabilities. Zanni’s nose is the longest, and he is often considered the least intelligent of the commedia characters.

Personality- he is amiable, subservient and slow-witted.

Gimmies- Zanni’s two utmost desires are food and sleep. These can provide goals or moments within a piece of theatre. For example, something may go wrong as Zanni falls asleep on his way to pass on an important message or he may bargain, offering to do something only in exchange for food.

Movement-

Walk- Zanni has a very precise way of walking. He stands with his feet turned outwards hip width apart, with his hips tilted forward and chest pressed outwards. When he walks he uses a specific heel to toe movement.

Walk Two- This walk works particularly for a Zanni with  purpose or one who is sneaking. It follows the same idea of the previous one by having a stance on foot which then swaps to the other when he walks. However this one uses much more exaggerated steps and involves lifting one lig perpendicular to your body with each step.

Run- the run uses very angular and stiff movements, run quickly keeping legs and arms straight and swinging them in choppy up and down motions.

Voice- He has a rough sounding voice, sometimes actors choose to use a strong accent from their region. Often when he asks questions, his voice raises into a high pitched sound.

Arlecchino

Class- Arlechhino is the head of the servant “Zanni” class.

Mask- Similar to that of a Zanni mask but with a slightly smaller hooked nose.

Personality- Like that of Zanni but he passes through extreme swings in emotion. Where a normal Zanni would be sad, Arlecchino is devasted.

Gimmies- the same as Zanni

Movement- Uses similar walks to Zanni’s but has a lot more energy. When stood still should constantly be moving from foot to foot and gesture should be large.

Columbina-

Class- She also belongs to the Zanni class, although often can subtly play for positions of power with even those of the highest class through her ability to use their gimmies to her advantage.

Mask- Columbina does not wear a mask

Personality- She is a calm and sensible character, she often acts as a steady focal point amidst the chaos and exaggeration of the other characters.

Gimmies- Columbina doesn’t have set desires but they are likely to be very simple things such as a day off or even to resolve the conflict around her.

Movement- she uses very graceful and dance like movements. She is a character who is light on her toes and her movement appears effortless.

Entrance- She enters in a figure eight using a walk which almost becomes skipping. Sometimes she carries a tambourine which she plays as she enters the stage.

Voice- Very light and easy to listen to

Pantalone-

Class- the Vecchi class, or one of the “old men”.

Personality- Stingy and wealthy character, he is also easy to anger, often to a point beyond reason.

Gimmies- His desires are women and money. Columbina often uses this first gimmie to her advantage in order to get what she wants.

Movement- Pantalone is slow moving. His elbows remain bent so that all the movement in the upper body occurs through the use of his hands. He stands with his hips tilted forward and his back bent.

Tricks- When Pantalone becomes extremely angry, it can lead to a heart attack. This often leaves him lying on his back. Once here Pantalone cannot stand back up on his own. Here you can use a special trick with the help of two Zanni’s to flip him back onto his feet. This is a great movement as it combines a surprisingly agile physical movement with the less able character. This can be particularly effective if Pantalone immediately returns to his stooped stance after the flip.

Voice- he has a higher pitched voice which sounds very frail.

The lovers

Class- part of the middle tier. The vecchi often play the fathers of the lovers.

Masks- The lovers also wear no masks

Personality- Both of them are ridiculously infatuated with the idea of love, perhaps even more than the love itself. They are defined by their love rather than by any kind of characteristics or traits.

Movements- The lovers’ movements are often synchronised. They always lead with their arms and upper body which creates a sweeping sort of movement. This is dance like but not graceful, often this weight on the upper body makes them imbalanced and they seem to almost stumble.

Tricks- The lovers take turns paying compliments to each other, these work even better when they continue to get more and more ridiculous. As a general rule for comedy you choose only three compliments each.

The Captain

Class- Part of the middle tier alongside the lovers.

Personality- Brazen, he is recognised for his vanity and confidence. EL Capitano loves to brag about his own strengths (militant and carnal nature in particular), often to the disadvantage of others. He will often threaten to fight people but will never actually draw his sword. No one has seen the captain fight.

Movement- Stands tall with his shoulders pushed back and his chest forward, he should perhaps have a long stride and purposeful heavy steps.

Tricks/Lazzi- When he sees an audience, he stops to be admired.

He is terrified of mice, and when frightened screams in a high falsetto, running of stage with big swinging movements, hands shaking in the air.