Il Capitano is actually a title meaning "the captain" and not a name. However, like Il Dottore, this character embraces this supposed (and self-given) title more than his actual name (though he's very prideful and egotistical about that too) and we often have him addressed by and address himself as simply grandly "Capitano". In historical scenarios he had numerous names (and it could be debatable he was self-centered enough to give his real name or posing so much he gave an alias). The most common today is Spavento as was used by i Gelosi. Many of his names (see below) implied a slightly different character. It is also custom for troupes to create their own name for Capitano - the longer and more pompous the better. Our Capitano is usually called Mocho Blanco Frappaccino Testosteroné. Usually, Capitano is a newly arrived stranger to the town the play is set in and unknown to the other Masks. In the classic scenarios, he is usually Spanish; the Italians were poking fun of Spaniards who occupied Italian lands during this time period. The important aspect is that Capitano is the foreigner and the other characters do not know his past deeds - and he hopes he's escaped those who do know his past deeds! He claims he is a strong soldier, a fearful warrior, and a brilliant tactician - but if he ever actually was on a battlefield he was probably running away from the front line. He wants people to like him so he acts brave and speaks of his preternatural exploits. This false bravado is his only weapon to hide his fragile, cowardly nature. When in danger, he will scream, hide, or run - unless he can pretend otherwise but he'll still want to. If he does fight, it is usually because he hasn't found a way to avoid it but he has some trick, or he believes he can scare his opponent into backing down. Usually he will make some excuse to avoid combat while still (trying) to sound brave. Capitano is not (usually) one of the lovers - but he wants to be. He considers himself suave, sophisticated, charming, and desirable to all the ladies. Almost all his motions and words to women will be an attempt to seduce them - his primary tool boasting about himself. Depending the scenario, certain female characters may fall for this, may even find him attractive. Other times, they cast him off as creepy and chauvinistic. He is a versatile character as are the reasons for his boasting. He may brag simply for praise, adoration, and acceptance. Or it might be an attempt to swindle money or seduce a woman. Capitano will sometimes be good-hearted and just wants to be liked. Sometimes, even while being a coward, he does want to defend honor and justice and can be motivated into helping save the day. Other times he is a villain, lying and bullying his way around and even kidnapping (for women, a ransom, or both). A younger Capitano can even sometimes fulfill the role of an amaroso and couple with an innamorata at the end. The audience should always know Capitano is a braggart coward. Keen characters like Colombina usually can see his true nature right away. Other characters may believe his boasts and lies at first or he may be transparent the entire play. The vecchi (especially Pantalone) may hire his services - or he may swindle his way into employment. Capitano also often tries to trick one of the old men into promising his daughter for marriage. Capitano has often managed to get himself a hapless servant (usually Arlecchino) to help his various plots.

Capitano had numerous names and slightly different characteristics. Each had a mask with a long nose - as if compensating for something. It is said the longer the nose, the stupider the Capitano. Below are only a few:
	Spavento is the most common Capitano name seen today and was very common in the surviving historical scenarios. His mask has the shortest nose, making him have both the most to prove and the smartest of the Captains - which doesn't say too much. He name is derived from the Italian word spaurire - "to terrify" - which he probably believes he does to others but really only unto himself. Matamoros is said to be the original Capitano. He was physically strong and large and he wore beautiful and expensive clothing. He claims to have personally defeated the army of the Moors (a common enemy of Renaissance Italy) single-handedly (because his other hand was dragging the Sultan he personally captured) and suffered countless deadly wounds that were nothing to man like him. Giangurgulo has a long and phallic nose and is quite stupid. Like all Captains, he wants to seduce a woman however he is actually terrified of them. He is also eternally hungry and will resort to stealing for food when an elaborate con would take too much time and thought. This character was also sometimes used as a servant or old man instead of a captain. Fanfarone goes above the normal boast for a Capitano - he's not even Spanish! He is actually just a zanni who poses as a Captain. He has even more to prove and even more easily disproved. His name is Italian for "braggart". Coccodrillo is named after a crocodile and will make himself sound vicious but is amongst the least capable of violence. Meo Squasquara is similar to one version of Coviello - he probably was at one point a servant but he's risen in social stance through some means while not being fully accepted by his new class peers - as such, a parvenu. And so, he has much he wants to prove. His name means a "little shit".
In addition to these names, Capitano likes to take on grandiose titles, supposedly honoring some heroic of fierce deeds he has done. The large variety names and roles encourages multiple versions of this Mask to be in the same play - because a duel between two cowardly but boasting Captains can only end in hilarity! In our troupe, our Capitano has sometimes been not a boasting soldier but a modern day braggart sports hero, clinging to some mediocre success years ago. He also often likes to talk in the third person as only one person is truly greatly enough to narrate the life story of Il Capitano!

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The Confused Greenies is an officially recognized student organization by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) of Case Western Reserve University but The Confused Greenies do not represent USG or the University or its policies. i Verdi Confusi is an active troupe in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) but is not an officially recognized entity nor represents the SCA, any local chapters, or policies. Email the troupe at lazzi@case.edu with any questions or comments. This page last updated on Friday, January 16, 2009.