Quase Tudo Sobre Commedia Dell'Arte

Summary

Comédia dell'Arte, originating in 15th-century Italy, was a popular form of improvisational theater performed by traveling troupes in public spaces. It featured fixed characters like the clever servant Arlecchino and the refined maid Columbina, addressing themes of love, jealousy, and old age. With its carnivalesque characterization, acrobatics, and masks, it entertained through local scandals and regional humor. This art form inspired many later characters and shows, making a lasting impact on comedy.

Takeaways

• 🎭 **Origin**: Comédie dell'Arte originated in 15th-century Italy and later developed in France.
• 🚶‍♂️ **Performance Style**: Itinerant companies performed in public squares or streets, with improvisational acting based on simple scripts.
• 📜 **Themes**: The main themes included adultery, jealousy, old age, and love, with dialogues and actions adaptable to local scandals and regional tastes.
• 🎭 **Characterization**: Fixed characters were used, with actors often playing the same role throughout their career.
• 🎭 **Improvisation**: Improvisation was key, allowing actors to incorporate current events and local tastes into their performances.
• 🎭 **Physicality**: Elements of acrobatics and mime were integral parts of the performances.
• 🎭 **Masks**: Masks were used to identify characters but left the lower part of the face uncovered for better diction and projection.
• 🎭 **Character Types**: Characters can be divided into three categories: servants, masters, and lovers.
• 🤡 **Alec/Arlecchino**: A smart and acrobatic servant, despite lacking formal education, he is known for his cunning and mischief.
• 👩‍💼 **Columbina**: The only female servant, she is educated and refined, sometimes ambitious, and in love with Harlequin.
• 👤 **Brighella**: A deceitful, aggressive, and selfish servant, often the source of intrigues.
• 🤡 **Pantalone**: An old, conservative, rich, and stingy character, often portrayed as a doctor or lawyer.
• 💑 **Innamorati**: Young lovers, hopelessly in love with each other, with various names such as Isabel for the female lover.

Q & A

In what century did the Comédie dell'Arte originate?

The Comédie dell'Arte originated in Italy in the 15th century.

Where did the Comédie dell'Arte develop after Italy?

After Italy, the Comédie dell'Arte developed in France in later centuries.

What was the typical performance style of Comédie dell'Arte companies?

Comédie dell'Arte companies were itinerant and performed mostly in public squares or streets with improvisational presentations.

What kind of script did Comédie dell'Arte actors follow?

The actors followed a simple outline that allowed for creative freedom and improvisation.

What were the main themes addressed in Comédie dell'Arte performances?

The main themes addressed were adultery, jealousy, old age, and love.

How were the dialogues and actions in Comédie dell'Arte performances adjusted?

Dialogues and actions could be easily adjusted to include local scandals, recent events, and regional tastes, mixed with old jokes.

What were the fixed characteristics of Comédie dell'Arte characters?

The characters were fixed, and actors often represented the same character throughout their career.

What is the carnivalesque characterization in Comédie dell'Arte?

The carnivalesque characterization includes the use of acrobatics, mime, masks that identified characters, and the use of public, structured, and rehearsed lazzi.

How can the characters of Comédie dell'Arte be categorized?

Characters can be categorized into three groups: servants, masters, and lovers.

Who are the main characters of Comédie dell'Arte and what are their roles?

Alec or Arlecchino is a clever servant and acrobat. Colombina is the only female servant, educated and refined. Briguel is a deceitful, aggressive, and selfish servant. Pantalone or Doctor is a rich, conservative, and miserly old man. Innamorato and his lover are young and madly in love.

How did Comédie dell'Arte influence later works?

Comédie dell'Arte inspired many later characters and works, such as Punch and Judy puppet shows and various series.