Comedia

Arlecchino is the most well-known character in commedia dell'arte. A poor servant from an italian town called Bergamo, he wears a patchwork costume that symbolizes both his simple origins and his playful nature. He comes across as a low-witted, but when the need arises becomes sly and seductive. He emphasizes his feline movements with a stick he carries called a batocio.

Brighella is an innkeeper formerly employed in a wealthy household. He still wears the white knee-length coat he wore when he was a servant. He's a schemer who has risen from poverty and is cruel to social inferiors.

Pantalone is an old, rich, greedy, naïve Venetian merchant. He is Clarice's father and most fears losing his social status. He walks with his back hunched over both as a sign of his age and to protect his moneybag.

The Dottore, a lawyer and physician, loves using big, impressive words and frequently mixes his own version of Latin with a local dialect. His son Silvio is in love with the daughter of his good friend Pantalone. He wears traditional academic votes as a sign of his learning.

Silvio is a young lover. He is vain, wears fashionable clothes and impatiently wants to conquer Pantalone's daughter. All this makes him look ridicolous most of the time, but he's also a good singer and poet, and is truly in love with Clarice.

Clarice is also a young lover. She's lively and playful. The daughter of a rich merchant, she rebels against her father's plans for her. She seems a little naïve, but is actually ver sharp and has a ready wit.

Florindo is another lover. He loves Beatrice and can be moody and unpredictable, but becomes extremely polite and gallant whenever he talks about his labors of love. He is an exaggerated and stubborn character.

Beatrice is another lover, a woman who knows what she wants frm life. She dresses as a man so she can meet her lover Florindo, but this causes many misunderstandings. Dressed as a man, her behaviour is very decisive. Dressed as a woman, her behaviour is that of a giddy lover.

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