Commedia and Modern Comedy Notes

Commedia dell Arte

The Comedy of Art

Basic Vocabulary

Comic Timing: The use of rhythm and tempo to enhance humor.

Beat: a pause taken for the purpose of comic timing

Pregnant Pause: a pause taken to accentuate a comedy element.

Basic Vocabulary

Slapstick: comedy characterized by broad comedy, absurd situations, and vigorous, often violent action

Broad comedy: comedic elements throughout – everywhere!

Types of Comedy

Black Comedy (or Dark Humor): grotesque or morbid humor used to express the absurdity, insensitivity, paradox, and cruelty of the modern world. (Ordinary characters or situations are usually exaggerated far beyond the limits of normal satire or irony.)

Satire: a comedy with the objective of ridicule

Types of Comedy

Irony: Figure of speech in which what is stated is not meant. (The user of irony assumes that his reader or listener understands the concealed meaning of his statement.)

Commedia dell Arte

Commedia dell'Arte (Italian: "the comedy of art") is a form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century and held its popularity through the 18th century, although it is still performed today

Commedia dell Arte

Performances were unscripted, held outside, and used few props.

They were free to watch, funded by donations.

Commedia dell Arte

A troupe consisted of ten people. (Women included as actors)

Outside Italy the form was also known as "Italian Comedy".

Commedia dell Arte

Conventional plot lines were written on themes of adultery, jealousy, old age, and love.

Many of the basic plot elements can be traced back to the Roman comedies, some of which were themselves translations of lost Greek comedies of the fourth century BC.

Commedia dell Arte

Performers made use of well-rehearsed jokes and stock physical gags, known as Lazzi and , as well as, of course, on-the-spot improvised and interpolated episodes and routines, called burle (singular burla, Italian for joke), usually involving a practical joke.

Commedia dell Arte

Characters were identified by costumes, masks, and even props,

The classic, traditional plot is that the innamorati are in love and wish to be married, but one elder (vecchio) or several elders (vecchi) are preventing this from happening, leading the lovers to ask one or more zanni (eccentric servants) for help. Typically the story ends happily, with the marriage of the innamorati and forgiveness for any wrongdoings.

Commedia dell ArteStock Characters

Arlecchino or Harlequin: Clown. Acrobatic and mischievous, zanni & Servant Recognizable by the colorful diamond-

shaped patches that traditionally were part of his costume.

The part is sometimes substituted with Truffaldino, his son.

His mask has a low forehead with a wart, and sometimes wore a black stocking wound round the lower face and then up over the head.


Arlecchino: is often the servant to Pantalone He is in love with Colombina, He can often have a close

relationship with the audience, The Arlecchino character also

tries to trick his masters and is always plotting and planning, but his plans never work.


Brighella: either a shopkeeper or

servant. Brighella is always out for

a way to profit from any given situation.

Will cheerfully lie to save himself.


Il Capitano (The Captain): Swash-buckling and bold, but

not necessarily heroic, Wears the military dress of the

day. His attire is generally foppish

and overdone. A braggart, a ladies man, and a

cavalier. He is motivated by his desire for

sex.


Colombina: female counterpart of Arlecchino. Servant and zanni. Initiates the plot of the play. Clever, crafty, and untamed. Her costume often had the same

colored patches found in Arlecchino's outfit.


Il Dottore - the doctor: He appears to be a learned man, but

generally that impression proves to be false.

He is older, wealthy, and a member of the vecchi.

Pedantic and miserly, he is hopelessly unsuccessful with women.

Everyone else believes what he is saying to be true but it is erroneous.

This leads into further trouble and confusion.


The Innamorati- The Lovers: The innamorato and innamorata had many

different names over time ("Isabella" was a particularly popular name for the woman, as was "Flavio" for the man).

Young, righteous, and hopelessly in love with one another.

Wear the most fashionable dress of the day. Never play in mask.


The Innamorati: Often seen singing, dancing,

or reciting poetry, Frequently portrayed as the

children of Dottore and Pantalone.

Madly in love but only surmount the obstacles put in the way of their happiness, at the end of the play.


Pantalone : member of the vecchi. Archetypal "old miser.” Quite wealthy but very greedy. He only cares about money and

he will do anything to get it. His costume usually incorporates

a long beard and red pants.


Pedrolino: also known as "Pierrot" or

"Pedro" The loyal servant. Hardworking, trustworthy,

honest and devoted to his master.

Charming and likable, he wears a loose white outfit with a neck ruff.

Tends to be the butt of the physical jokes.


Pulcinella : sometimes called "Punch,” Pitiable, helpless, and often

physically disfigured. Usually has a hump, a distinct

limp, or some other obvious physical deformity.

In some portrayals he cannot speak, and expresses himself in squeaks or other strange sounds.

His personality can be foolish or sly and shrewd.


Scaramuccia: also known as

Scaramouche Roguish character who

wears a black velvet mask, black trousers, a shirt and a hat.

Usually portrayed as a buffoon or boastful coward.


Tartaglia: short sighted with a terrible

stutter he is one of the stock old

characters who appears in many scenarios as one of the lovers.

His social status varies; he is sometimes a bailiff, lawyer, notary or chemist.

Tartaglia wears a large felt hat, an enormous cloak, oversized boots, a long sword, a giant mustache and a cardboard nose.

Commedia and Modern Comedy Notes

Education

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