Vecchio (Italian: [ˈvɛkkjo]; plural vecchi, meaning “old one” or simply “old”), is a category of aged, male characters from the Italian commedia dell’arte. The primary members of this group are Pantalone, Il Dottore and Il Capitano.

Is Pantalone A Zanni?

The earliest literary evidence portrays Zanni as a servant of Pantalone. Of all of the commedia archetypes, Zanni’s survival instinct is the strongest.

What is Arlecchino personality?

A crafty low status character, Arlecchino tries to trick his patrons out of money, but usually fails. Arlecchino is very quick, acrobatic and limber. He’s not as intelligent as Brighella, but he is not as stupid as the Zannis.

What animal is zanni?

The Zanni character was a buffoon or clown and known in those days as a simpleton or ‘stupid incompetent fool’!

How does Dottore speak?

Dottore Gratiano was, in origin, a Bolognese lawyer or doctor; gullible and lecherous, he spoke in a pedantic mixture of Italian and Latin.

Who is zanni’s master?

Brighella Brighella is cast as a shrewd servant in the Commedia dell’Arte in the ‘Zanni’ genre. One of his specialties for this role are the tricks and pranks that he plays on other characters and is sometimes also an expert musician, singing and playing the guitar.

Is Harlequin a servant?

The Harlequin is characterized by his chequered costume. His role is that of a light-hearted, nimble, and astute servant, often acting to thwart the plans of his master, and pursuing his own love interest, Columbina, with wit and resourcefulness, often competing with the sterner and melancholic Pierrot.

What is status play in commedia dell’arte?

Hierarchies and status play in Commedia dell’Arte. Commedia dell’Arte also built on the play with status. It is the old master/servant relation, where Pantalone and Dottore are the highest ranked and the zanni the lowest. In between them is Capitano who represents the military power, is an outsider and is not part of the community.

What is commedia dell’arte?

Originating in Renaissance Italy, but achieving popularity across Europe, Commedia Dell’Arte is a special type of improvised comedy. It involves stock characters – comic servants, young lovers, self-important pedants and soldiers – each one recognisable by stylised costumes, masks and exaggerated gestures.

What is the role of the Vecchis?

The word vecchi literally means “old men.” In fact they are usually the authority figures in the story — “The Man” who is holding back the little people — with the parts most typically fulfilled by the Doctor and Pantalone, although other characters like the Captain and Ruffiana can fall into this position as well.