Stock Characters
This tricky servant is clever, mischievous, and often causes chaos.
Who is Arlecchino (Harlequin)?
True or False: All characters in Commedia wore masks.
False (the Lovers usually did not).
Commedia dell’Arte began in this country.
What is Italy?
The word “lazzi” means what in Commedia?
What are comic bits or gags?
The word “Arte” means this in English.
What is “art” or “skill”?
This old, greedy man loves money more than anything else.
Who is Pantalone?
This Characters costume is made of colorful shapes, like diamonds or patches.
Who is Arlecchino?
The word “Commedia” means this in English.
What is “comedy”?
True or False: Actors had to memorize every single line of the play.
False (they improvised most of it).
What do we call the repeated comic bits used by actors?
What are lazzi?
This character is a know-it-all doctor who pretends to be smarter than he is.
Who is Il Dottore?
Pantalone’s mask usually has this feature to show his old age.
What is a long, hooked nose?
True or False: Commedia was performed with full scripts.
False (it was mostly improvised).
Give one example of a lazzo you could perform.
(Examples: tripping over something, pretending to be stuck, pretending to faint).
The name for the “masked types” or “stock characters” is this.
What is “Zanni” (for servants) or “stock characters”?
These two characters are usually young, in love, and dramatic.
Who are the Innamorati (the Lovers)?
Il Dottore often wears black robes that make him look like this type of professional.
What is a scholar/judge or doctor?
Commedia started in this century.
What is the 1500s (16th century)?
If Arlecchino is always hungry, what kind of lazzi might he do?
What is stealing food, or pretending to faint from hunger?
A scenario is like this, instead of a full script.
What is an outline or summary of the story?
This “captain” brags about being a hero but is really a coward.
Who is Il Capitano?
Masks in Commedia were important because they helped actors do what?
What is exaggerate expressions and show character instantly?
Performances were often held in this type of space so everyone could watch.
What is outdoors in public squares?
Improvisation means performing without this.
What is a script?
The main purpose of Commedia dell’Arte was to do this for the audience.
What is entertain/make people laugh?