Instagram : @ theatre _ ranelagh

Source : Instagram @ theatre _ ranelagh

Each ‘ stock character ’ within the style has their own lazzi ( set jokes ), with many inviting the opportunity for innuendo , or a golden chance to mock the vanity and ignorance of the elite classes . If you are thinking it is not sounding particularly ‘ religion friendly ’, you would be completely correct . In fact , one of the stock characters , Il Dottore , was renowned for performing spontaneous births on characters , regardless of their gender , even though he was an academic doctor , not medical . This use of irony to highlight Il Dottore ’ s stupidity ridicules the upper classes whilst also succeeding in being incredibly vulgar , especially when we consider the fact that these performances would have taken place in the street , for anybody to see .

Instagram : @ theatre _ ranelagh

The church criticised these forms of ‘ wandering theatre ’, associating them with paganism , yet this did not stunt the popularity of Commedia dell ’ arte . Rather ironically , these performances were most often enjoyed by the upper classes , oblivious to the obvious mocking of their own kind . They even acted as benefactors to Commedia dell ’ arte troupes , paying for them to perform in their royal courts , and salons of their palaces and castles . However , this was not always necessarily for their own entertainment , but to push their political agendas onto the other elite guests invited from across regions . These performances were often also used to build alliances between states . So how were these performance groups not punished by the church ? This was the advantage of being touring performers . Since Italy was , in the 17th century , still divided into several states , each with their own law and culture , it was relatively straightforward for a Commedia dell ’ arte troupe to simply travel to another region of Italy , as long as they had a reasonable level of economic stability .

Performances were banned during Advent and Lent , the irony of which being that the rituals performed around these religious periods are particularly theatrical , especially in Italy , even more so in Rome , the birthplace of Commedia dell ’ arte . This was due to the performances ’ label as an abandonment of Christian behaviour and thoughts – which is highly evident in most aspects of Commedia dell ’ arte . Female characters were often highly eroticised , especially the female Innamorati ( lovers ), who , in contrast to all other characters , did not wear the classic Commedia dell ’ arte masks . This was a purposeful decision , intended to attract more audience members by showcasing the beauty of their female actors . When discussing masks it is impossible to overlook the underlying anti-semitism in Pantalone ’ s mask . The character of Pantalone is an incredibly rich merchant who carries his money in a pouch by his crotch , refusing to ever spend it . His mask has been connected to 17th century stereotypes of Jewish people and although Pantalone ’ s identity is never explicitly stated , it is heavily suggested . In 16th century Italy , conditions were gradually worsening for the Jewish population , with many moving from the south of Italy to the north , with levels of danger increasing in Rome – the birthplace of Commedia dell ’ arte . The death of the style was brought about by playwright Carlo Goldoni and his infamous play , “ A Servant to Two Masters ”, in which the use of masks was abolished and many of the improvised lazzi were discarded . However , Goldoni ensured that the relentless innuendo , which was so integral to Commedia dell ’ arte , was retained , allowing its legacy to continue globally .

By Lucy McGuiness-Brown ( She / Her ) // First Year ; German and Italian

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