Masks of Commedia dell'Arte

The commedia family is mainly comprised of stock characters. These are often called Masks (even for the ones who did not wear actual half-face masks). Most are exaggerations - archetypes and stereotypes; extreme, pompous, outlandish, and outrageous, often with large noses, thick wrinkles, warts, or carbuncles. In different scenarios, the Masks of the same name would often have similar personalities, desires, and behaviors in any play he or she was featured in. Many plays included the innamorati (the young, often shallow lovers) whose potential romance instigates the plot, the vecchi (old men, often the fathers of the young lovers and masters of the servants) who stand in the way of the plot, and the zanni and the servetta (the male and female servants respectively) whose attempts to help or hinder the other characters complicate the plot.

Not every commedia play uses the main and traditional stock characters. Some will generate brand new Masks though they often will share some of the characteristics of the traditional types. Others will be simple occupational roles (such as priests, gypsies, police, students) or relatives (wives, long-lost fathers, mothers, dying uncles).

Below you shall meet some of the most famous Masks of commedia dell'arte.

The Vecchi - the old men
· Pantalone - the miser extraordinaire, making, keeping, and not spending his money drives his entire being.
· Il Dottore - a self-proclaimed astute expert, a "doctor" on all things academia while being wise at none.

The Zanni and the Servetta - the servants
· Arlecchino - the constantly hungry, often dim-witted, and sometimes happy-go-lucky second zanni harlequin.
· Franceschina / Colombina - the sassy and saucy maid, often more clever than the other characters.
· Smeraldina - a servetta who can be played as zany or foolish though not as grotesque as the male zanni.
· Brighella - cunning and tricky first zanni, faithful only as long as it benefits himself.
· Pedrolino - either the clever and resourceful first zanni or childlike and pitiful near mute second zanni.
· Pulcinella - a twisted mind and body, he enjoys violence and corruption for amusement and to get his wants.

Other Principle Masks - the lovers and the fighters
· Innamorati - the young lovers whose shallow attempts at romance often drive the plot.
· Isabella - the famous prima donna innamorata, often more intelligent and stronger than the others.
· Il Capitano - a boasting, self-proclaimed glorious "captain", hero of war and love - hiding his true cowardice.
· Vittoria - often an older and experienced innamorata or servetta who can sometimes be villainous.
· Coviello - either a boastful zanni who thinks he's bettered himself or another old vecchio.

Other Minor Masks - a non-exhaustive list
· Tartaglia - an old vecchio or zanni, his chief characteristic is his constant stuttering.
· Scapino - a first zanni who can be crafty and witty he can also be forgetful and senseless.
· Scaramuccia - his name means "little skirmisher" and he can be used to stir up the complications in the plot.
· Rosaura - a popular name for Pantalone's wife on the rare occasion he has one.
· Burattino - a zanni that has uncharacteristic slow movements and speech but a vicious temper.
· La Ruffiana - an old women who could be a range from motherly old lady to a retired courtesan.
· Mezzettino - an elegant and sensitive valet zanni that mixes wise and foolish characteristics.
· Cola / Cassandro - an additional old man, often ancient even to Pantalone or Dottore.
· Rosetta / Rotalinda - a servetta and Pulcinella's oft abused wife though can return as good as given.
· Fiorinetta - much like an older and refined but flashy innamorata who is a courtesan.
· Stenterello - a mismatched and lazy rascal that contributes more to a gag than the overall plot.
· Il Cavaliere - as boastful, egotistical, and womanizing as Capitano but he is actually a soldier.
· Trivellino / Tracagnino / Truffaldino - branches off the Arlecchino tree.
· Zanni - the name of a generic zanni, personality and behavior as needed by the plot.