Research Task- short answer questions.
1. What is Commedia Dell Arte?
It is a form of theatre characterized by mask types.
2. When was this style popular?
Throughout the 17th century (1697).
3. Where in the city/town were the performances held?
Outside in temporary stages.
4. Discuss the types of scenarios improvised in Commedia performances?
The higher status characters would be treating the Zanni’s bad but by the end of the play the zanni would always get revenge.
5. Describe the following Commedia terms and how they were used in a performance…
· Concetti- is an improvisation of the dialogue in commedia dell' arte.
· Lazzi- is an improvised comic dialogue or action commonly used in the Commedia dell'arte.
· Aparte- apart from or besides.
· Burle- singular burla, Italian for joke, usually involving a practical joke.
6. What part of the world was this style of acting poplar in?
Europe.
7. Name some writers who were influenced by this style of acting?
Shakespeare and Antonio Fava.
8. Discuss the characterization within commedia?
The characterization is still within us in our world till this very day, the characters that are in our everyday TV characters are based on commedia dell arte’s characters.
9. What is a stock character? A stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype.
10. Choose any 5 characters and discuss the following elements of drama within relation to the individual character.
Pantalone-One of the best known of the characters and the least liked. Is an old man, has only two things on his mind sex and money. His movements are predictable; he walk around like a chicken. He protects both of his precious pouches that hangs at his front attracting attention.
Colombina- A female Zanni of the servant class, she is traditionally unmasked and has a feminine side flick to her pert walk like a cat. Often is manipulating her masters especially Pantalone with the sole purpose of getting money, she is sweet on the surface but hard on the inside. She is liked by the audiences as she always gets revenge from her masters and for her pretty looks.
Il Dottore- A flamboyant and somewhat loveable character he is fat and old he moves around mostly with his hips like a pig . He is supposedly well educated and his costume and mask add up to his façade. He makes up his Latin and babbles on liking the sound of his erudite voice. Appealed to the audience’s disdain for the overeducated that really did not know how to survive in the real world.
Zanni- A creation of the peasant class he has no status, he is the most human kind as he moves like a human. He often uses a lot of gibberish while he talks; he is always a servant and is good-natured. He always gets the audiences love and sympathy as he is treated badly by his masters.
Il Capitano- a character who likes to show off and is loud and bombastic. He struts around the stage with flair and misplaced energy often compared to a stallion, his movements are over the top and designed to draw rididule to this cowardly soldier =. He is unequalin his success and ability as a source as a real amusement for the audience who were often dragooned into the army and could laugh at his faults. He carrys around a long sword which he keeps tripping up against as it is too long.’
It is a form of theatre characterized by mask types.
2. When was this style popular?
Throughout the 17th century (1697).
3. Where in the city/town were the performances held?
Outside in temporary stages.
4. Discuss the types of scenarios improvised in Commedia performances?
The higher status characters would be treating the Zanni’s bad but by the end of the play the zanni would always get revenge.
5. Describe the following Commedia terms and how they were used in a performance…
· Concetti- is an improvisation of the dialogue in commedia dell' arte.
· Lazzi- is an improvised comic dialogue or action commonly used in the Commedia dell'arte.
· Aparte- apart from or besides.
· Burle- singular burla, Italian for joke, usually involving a practical joke.
6. What part of the world was this style of acting poplar in?
Europe.
7. Name some writers who were influenced by this style of acting?
Shakespeare and Antonio Fava.
8. Discuss the characterization within commedia?
The characterization is still within us in our world till this very day, the characters that are in our everyday TV characters are based on commedia dell arte’s characters.
9. What is a stock character? A stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype.
10. Choose any 5 characters and discuss the following elements of drama within relation to the individual character.
Pantalone-One of the best known of the characters and the least liked. Is an old man, has only two things on his mind sex and money. His movements are predictable; he walk around like a chicken. He protects both of his precious pouches that hangs at his front attracting attention.
Colombina- A female Zanni of the servant class, she is traditionally unmasked and has a feminine side flick to her pert walk like a cat. Often is manipulating her masters especially Pantalone with the sole purpose of getting money, she is sweet on the surface but hard on the inside. She is liked by the audiences as she always gets revenge from her masters and for her pretty looks.
Il Dottore- A flamboyant and somewhat loveable character he is fat and old he moves around mostly with his hips like a pig . He is supposedly well educated and his costume and mask add up to his façade. He makes up his Latin and babbles on liking the sound of his erudite voice. Appealed to the audience’s disdain for the overeducated that really did not know how to survive in the real world.
Zanni- A creation of the peasant class he has no status, he is the most human kind as he moves like a human. He often uses a lot of gibberish while he talks; he is always a servant and is good-natured. He always gets the audiences love and sympathy as he is treated badly by his masters.
Il Capitano- a character who likes to show off and is loud and bombastic. He struts around the stage with flair and misplaced energy often compared to a stallion, his movements are over the top and designed to draw rididule to this cowardly soldier =. He is unequalin his success and ability as a source as a real amusement for the audience who were often dragooned into the army and could laugh at his faults. He carrys around a long sword which he keeps tripping up against as it is too long.’
Arlecchino - A member of the Zanni he has the specific role of the ultimate servant. Always willing to please, has more status than Zanni but just. he is mostly known as the bully as he plays pranks on his masters and bullies the rest of the Zann
11. discuss costuming in the 16th century for the commedia performances?
Characters were identified by costumes, masks, and props, such as a type of stereotype the character would be the same character because the actors have ceratin movements to their characters.
12. What was the staging of a performance like in the 16th century?
They used to go around building temporary stages across the country as they went and advertised by going in the crowds and acting parts of it.
13. Discuss the actors’ use of their voice and movement for commedia.
In Commedia Dell arte they use big hand and body gestures they like to be over the top that’s what makes the audience love them their voices are really loud but that is due to the characters. They tried to set the outline of their character as much as they can so the audience could know who they are.
11. discuss costuming in the 16th century for the commedia performances?
Characters were identified by costumes, masks, and props, such as a type of stereotype the character would be the same character because the actors have ceratin movements to their characters.
12. What was the staging of a performance like in the 16th century?
They used to go around building temporary stages across the country as they went and advertised by going in the crowds and acting parts of it.
13. Discuss the actors’ use of their voice and movement for commedia.
In Commedia Dell arte they use big hand and body gestures they like to be over the top that’s what makes the audience love them their voices are really loud but that is due to the characters. They tried to set the outline of their character as much as they can so the audience could know who they are.