They are characters of a theatrical style known as Commedia dell’Arteborn in Italy in the 16th century. Members of a plot full of social satire, the three roles represent servants involved in a love triangle: Pierrot loves Colombina, who loves Harlequin, who, in turn, also desires Colombina.
The style emerged as an alternative to the so-called Commedia Erudite, of literary inspiration, which featured actors speaking in Latin, at that time a language already inaccessible to most people. Thus, the story of the enamored trio has always been authentic popular entertainment, whose origins were influenced by Carnival games. Presented in the streets and squares of Italian cities, the staged stories mocked the life and customs of the powerful at the time. For this, many other characters entered the scene, in addition to the three most famous.
On the side of the bosses, for example, there was an extremely avaricious merchant (called Pantaleão), a pompous intellectual (the Doctor) and a cowardly officer, who was a bully (the Captain). Other typical characters were the couple Isabella and Oracio (in general, children of bosses) and other servants. Despite obeying a predefined plot, the plays had improvisation as their main ingredient, demanding great discipline and comic talent from the actors, who needed to respond quickly to new jokes and situations created by their colleagues.
“Until today, the Commedia dell’Arte it is a very rich method for actor learning and training”, says actress Tiche Vianna, who graduated from the School of Dramatic Art at the University of São Paulo (USP), with a specialization in Commedia dell’Arte from the University of Bologna and Florence, Italy. An interesting detail is that there was always, in the middle of the show, an interval called lazzo, which could have more comedy, feature stunts or political satire unrelated to the plot. finished the lazzo, the story continued where it had been interrupted. With this unique style, the Commedia dell’Arte influenced dramatic art across Europe.
soap opera time
Amorous intrigue and social satire were the staples of ancient Italian comedy.
Pierrot
Its original name was Pedrolino, but it was baptized, in 19th century France, as Pierrot and thus gained the world. The poorest of the servant characters, he wore clothes made from sacks of flour, his face was painted white and he wore no mask. He was always suffering and sighing with love for Colombina. Therefore, he was the favorite victim of jokes on the scene. It was no wonder that his attitude, his clothing and his makeup influenced all circus clowns
Pantaleon
The best known of the patron characters, who represented the elite of Italian society in the stories of Commedia dell’Arte, Pantaleon (also called “The Old Man”) was a “merchant of Venice” (an expression that gave the title to a play by Shakespeare). A miserly tyrant and clumsy philanderer, he was a constant target of ridicule from servants and other characters in the plot.
Harlequin
Also a servant of Pantaleon, Harlequin was a lazy and insolent smartass, who tried to convince everyone of his naivety and stupidity. After jumping on stage, he moved around the stage with dance steps and a large repertoire of acrobatic movements. Mocky, he loved to play tricks on other characters and then used his agility to escape the created confusions. Another of his trademarks was his diamond clothing.
colombina
Created by a daughter of the boss Pantaleão, but as beautiful and refined as her mistress, Colombina was also the pivot of a love triangle that would become famous throughout the world – on the one hand, the passionate Pierrot; on the other, the trickster Harlequin. To awaken the love of the latter, the romantic servant sang and danced gracefully in the shows.