The document summarizes the key characters of Commedia dell'arte, a popular Italian theatrical style that emerged in the 16th century. It describes the characters of Pantalone, Dottore, Harlequin, Pulcinella, Columbina, Pierrot, Brighella, Capitano, Scaramouche, and the Innamorati lovers. Each character is defined by their costume, mask, role, and personality traits that helped establish comedic scenarios and improvised performances.

1. 9th SECONDARY SCHOOL
of
PATRAS-Greece
School Year: 2016-17
«Commedia dell 'arte’s characters»

2. One by one appearing in the land of Italy...
They are the characters and masks of
Commedia dell'arte
that keep notes and brushes ...

3. PLACE AND TIME
TIME: about 1550 to the late 17th century.
CONTRACT OF COMMEDIA:
February 25, 1545 in Padua, eight men
drafted contract, where they decided play
comedies place to place.
PLACE: Italy.
Before Commedia emerged, various forms
of expression such as frottola, villanella,
canzonetta and madrigals.

4. THE NAME
Named «Commedia dell'arte»,
because it was a comedy, played by
professional actors.
The actors did everything: playing,
singing, dancing, or acrobat.
There was no text, but the actors
improvised.
The actors wore masks usually,
imitated and cause plenty of laughter.

5. CHARACTERS
1. Pantalone
Is one of the most important principal characters found
in commedia dell'arte. In one theory, his name derives
from Saint Pantaleon, a popular saint in Venice. The
other theory of where his name derives is from Venetian
merchants who were called Piantaleoni.
Pantalone characterized by extraordinary greed,
identified with "money" and is described as an old man,
hunched, miserable, stingy, but also intelligent, skillful
marketer, practical, and womanizing.
Wearing tight pants!

6. 2. Dottore
Dottore is a commedia dell'arte stock
character, one of the vecchi, or "old
men", whose function in a scenario is to
be an obstacle to the young lovers.
Dottore and Pantalone are the comic foil
of each other.
Pantalone being the decadent wealthy
merchant, and Dottore being the
decadent erudite.

7. 3. Harlequin
He is the slave.
One of the oldest versions of Harlequin, (15th
century) is the Trivelino or Trivelin, name
meaning «tatterdemalion».
The suit almost identical to Harlequin with
characteristic triangular patches, which were
replaced with moons, stars, circles and
triangles later.
Other names are: Truffa, Truffaldin or
Truffaldino, as found in works of Gozo and
Goldoni.

8. 4. Pulcinella
The hero with squeaky, nasal voice and the big
nose.
The name comes from «poultsino», means
birdie.
Always dressed in white with a black mask,
focusing on the contrast of life and death.
In other embodiments presented named
Razullo.
The peculiar voice of the performances
simulates swazzle (vibrating string).
Pulcinella is vicious, contemptible, he
pretending stupid to know what's happening.

9. In some versions Pulcinella has
a brother, named Cucurucu.
As of Pulcinella, so the
Cucurucu’s name probably
comes from the sound of a bird
voice.
Cucurucu stars in comical
Madrigal: «Chichilichichì
Cucurucù», of Giovanni da
Nola, and «Chi Chi Li chi» of
Andrea Gabrieli.

10. 4. Columbina
Her name comes from Colombina = little dove.
She’s the maid. Often is Harlequin’s mistress.
Cheeky and flirtatious, a soubrette, usually brightly
painted her eyes and holding a tambourine, to repel
"cute" erotic hassles of Pantalone.
Women at that time were not allowed to be the
primary part of the story being played on the stage,
but could be part of the action dance.
So, Columbine (referred to as Smeraldina) is
restless gossip that gives life, cheer and joy with her
scherzo and brio.

11. 5. Pierrot
Name comes from the Italian «Pedrolino»
and French «Pierrot».
Pierrot with Harlequin were pair of “Zanni"
embodying generally naive, honest servant
who is always in trouble because of his
sincerity.
Romantic and peculiar hero, not wearing
maska.
The suit was also all white except for a black
hat on his head help create a character full of
nostalgia and mystery.

12. 6. Brighella
Like Harlequin, Brighella’s native is from
Bergamo.
The suit is white with green braid, wide
shirt, baggy pants and baggy beret.
It has several Harlequin’s features but
Brighella is more boor, liar and less
clever.

13. 7. Capitano
He most-likely was never a "Captain", but rather
appropriated the name for himself.
The Captain uses bravado and excessive shows of
manliness to hide his true cowardly nature.
He is often a braggart and a swaggerer who can
maintain his claims only by benefit of the fact that
none of the locals know him.
Ηis hometown is Naples.
Wearing black suit, wide-brimmed hat and holding
a huge sword.
Stands forever swaggering and excessive and
windbag but funky and dumb.
His mask has big nose!

14. 8. Scaramouche
Scaramouche, is a clown character of
the commedia dell'arte. The role combined
characteristics of the zanni (servant) and
the Capitano, whose is relative.
Their costumes are identical, with wide-
brimmed black hat with Scaramouche instead
sword, holding guitar, as he love the art of
music.
As a character, he is constantly exaggerated
words and windbag.
Darius Milhaud inspired by Scaramouche his
«Suite, op.165 for 2 pianos, saxophone and
orchestra».

15. 9. «Ιnnamorati»
Innamorati, meaning «Lovers», were
stock characters in Commedia
dell'arte, which appeared in 16th
century Italy.
In the plays everything revolves
around the Lovers in some regard.
These characters were present within
commedia plays for the sole purpose
of being in love with one another, and
moreover with themselves.
Despite facing many obstacles, the
Lovers are always united by the end.