i Sebastiani - Masks and Characters
 
Commedia Masks

In a Commedia context, 'Mask' can refer to either the physical object, or the character who wears one. Some people even refer to the unmasked characters as 'Masks'. This section includes links and descriptions for sites that deal with:

  • shapes for each character
  • steps for making masks
  • issues and skills for actors wearing masks
  • general characterizations of the characters
  • performance styles and tips for each character

How we make masks

Stock Characters

In the history of Commedia, there have been many characters, probably including many more than mentioned here. This list represents ones that we've seen mentioned in the literature and borrows especially from the ones given in the Scala Scenarios.

The original list [to which little has been added] comes from the family trees listed in Duchartre. Note that by related, we don't mean identical. By tradition, they were considered blood relatives. For example, Mezzetino was a brother of Brighella, but was more gently mannered, and was much more of a singer and dancer than Brighella. This list has been now broken into categories that don't always fit precisely. This not-fitting is a result of trying to catagorize into descrete containers by name traditions that evolved over a long period.

Here is a link to an Italian site with brief descriptions of many characters.
Another Link to Character analysis from 'People Like Me'

Here is a link to i Sebastiani's stock characters
Category Description Names
Second Zanni Distractable male servant Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Zanni, Zan Ganassa, Harlequin, Trivelino, Truffaldino, Guazzeto, Zaccagnino, Bagatino, Fichetto [the clumsy valet]
First Zanni-A Mean, Dangerous clever servant, adventurer, or beggar Brighella, Mezzetino, Coviello, Beltrame, Gradelino, Scapino, Truccagnino, Fenocchio AKA Chaff, Flautino, Bagatino, Sbrigani, Narcisino, Turlupin, Gandolin, Franca-trippa, Fritellino, Figaro [18th C]
First Zanni-B Less assertive clever servant Pedrolino, Bertoldo, Bertoldino, Cacasseno, Piero, Pierrot, Pirolino, Bigolo, Pagliaccio, Paillasse, Gian Farina, Peppe Nappa, Giglio, Gilles, Gilotin
Miser Basically, Pantalone Pantalone, Magnifico, Zanobio da Piombino, Facanappa, il Bernardone, The Baron [18th C], Cassandro, il Biscegliese, Pasquale
Dottore Pedantic man respected by some for his knowledge, feared for his droning Dottore [Gratiano], Agnan, Dottore Partasana, Dottore Gracian Baloardo, Dottore Forbizon, Tartaglia, Guillot-Gorju
Female Veccha Woman older than the lovers Ruffiana [the gossip], Celega, Bonne Mere Guillemette
Capitano The glorious soldier, and braggart Capitano Spavento, Giangurgolo, Scaramouch, il Vappo, il Smargiasso, Rogantino, Rodomonto, Cocodrillo, Rinoceronte, Spezzafer, Taille-bras, Engoulevente, Crispen, Horrilibilibifibrax
Amoroso Sincere lovers Flavio, Ottavio, Orazio, Silvio, Leandro, Cinthio del Sole, Federigo, Lelio, Mario, Fulvio, Virginio, etc.
Amorosa Sincere lovers [The Inamorata], Isabella, Peronne, Lucia, Flaminia, Diana, Fiorinetta, Zirzabelle, Celia, Lidia, Lavinia, Aurelia, Valeria, Florinda, Clarice, Angela, Graziosa, Ortensia, Silvia [18th C], etc.
Servetta Female servants of all varieties, clever, naughty, seductive, stupid, innocent, happy, sad, or anything else. [The Soubrette, Servetta or Fantesca] Francesquina, Licetta, Tiffia, Gitta, Betta, Gneva, Nina, Ricciolina, Rosetta, Diamantina, Columbina, Olivetta, Fiammetta, Nespola, Spinetta, Smeraldina [18th C], etc.
Courtesan A (usually charming) sex worker The Courtesan, Julian le debauche
Gypsy/Gossip Servant class woman adventurer or madam. Pasquela, Ruffiana [the gossip], or any appropriate name
Priest Some venues didn't permit mocking the clergy. This character wasn't often *very* satyric. Father Grifarosto
Innkeeper Usually jolly, has a providing nature Burattino
Porter Usually cooperative, lazy, hungry, inclined to drink when possible, and not very bright. Servant class. Zanni, Faccino