Commedia dell’ Arte 1500’s Italy
The origins of comic archetypes ( or…where you got all the the ideas you have about comedy)
What is the Commedia?
• Commedia may have evolved out of Ancient Roman Comedy.
• Commedia is fast, physical comedy that is performed in the streets of towns, courtyards of inns, and in homes of the wealthy.
Who were the actors?
• Professional companies of 7 men and 3 women.• First women actors to play women’s roles.• Actors needed to be able to:1. Sing2. Dance3. Do improvisational acting.4. Fight5. Do acrobatics
What did the performances look like?
• Shows were improvisational in the streets.• Actors used a highly physical style of comedy -
(think Jim Carey in his early films)• Plots resembled TV sitcoms of today.• Acting Companies would use the same
characters ( stock) in every play. • Actors would specialize in one character and
play if for the length of their career.
Masks – everybody wears them
Rude Comedy is Not A New Idea..
Neither is the Happy Ending…..
The Comic Archetypes
• #1 The Innocents ( straight characters)• #2 The Trickster (a servant characters)• #3 The Fool ( a servant characters)• #4 The Know-It-All ( a master character)• #5 The Scrooge ( a master character)• #6 The Braggart ( a master character)
Comic Stock Character- Archetype #1
The Innocent ( Straight Characters)Also known as the Innamorati ( lovers)
• Often at the center of the plot, the protagonist.• Not aware of the true nature of the world• Naïve and/or sentimental• Innocence comes from a lack of knowledge or
experience, not from a lack of intelligence.• Idealistic and good natured.• Often dependant on parents or guardians.
The Innocents
The Lovers
Innocents you might recognize:
• Often at the center of the plot, the protagonist.
• Not aware of the true nature of the world
• Naïve and/or sentimental• Innocence comes from a lack
of knowledge or experience, not from a lack of intelligence.
• Idealistic and good natured.• Often dependant on parents
or guardians.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #2
The Trickster ( A Servant)
• Helps or hinders the innocent• Makes thing happen, a catalyst for action
• Willing to bend society’s rules• Clever, witty, and/or unscrupulous• Takes advantage of situations
• Schemes or plots.
Columbina
Tricksters you might recognize:
• Helps or hinders the innocent• Makes thing happen, a catalyst for action• Willing to bend society’s rules• Clever, witty, and/or unscrupulous• Takes advantage of situations• Schemes or plots.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #3
The Fool ( A Servant)• Often a helper or sidekick• May solve problems by dumb luck• Exaggerated version of the Innocents• Unpredictable, with a distorted
conception of reality.
Harlequin/Arlecchino
Pierrot
Fools you might recognize:
• Often a helper or sidekick
• May solve problems by dumb luck
• Exaggerated version of the Innocents
• Unpredictable, with a distorted conception of reality.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #4
The Know-It-All ( A Master)• Shows off supposed knowledge• Tries to act and sound as important as possible• Assumes to know everything about everything• Can be pompous and/or condescending.
Il Dottore
Know-It-Alls you might recognize:• Shows off supposed
knowledge
• Tries to act and sound as important as possible
• Assumes to know everything about everything
• Can be pompous and/or condescending.
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #5
• The Scrooge ( A Master)
• Often the antagonist• Usually an authority figure• Miserly with money, possessions,
and/or emotions• Often mean-spirited, cranky, or ill-tempered.
Pantalone
Scrooges you might recognize:
• Often the antagonist
• Usually an authority figure
• Miserly with money, possessions, and/or emotions
• Often mean-spirited, cranky, or ill-tempered
Comic Stock Character – Archetype #6
• The Braggart ( A Master)• Assumes the ability to do anything.• Believes that he is strong and handsome.• A show off.• Given to loud and empty boasting.• A cowardly bully.
Il Capitano
Braggarts you might recognize:• Assumes the ability to do anything.
• Believes that he is strong and handsome.
• A show off.
• Given to loud and empty boasting.
• A cowardly bully.