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Harlequin & Mezzetino

by David Claudon

• HARLEQUIN (Arlechino), at center, is perhaps the best known commedia character. He is a comic servant who is lazy but energetic, stupid but clever, insolent, clownish, and ribald. He is shown leaping into the air, dancing, walking on stilts, tumbling, making love to an Inamorata, striking a pose, or playing extravagant tricks.

  Harlequin's pants and jacket are covered with patches. Only later did these patches become blue, red, and green triangles joined with yellow braid. Eventually these became diamonds. To his hat is attached a fox tail characterizing him as "the butt of ridicule." He wears a black half-mask and black chin-piece.

• MEZZETINO (Metzetin), at right, is similar to the servants Scapino and Brighella. He is a singer, musician, and ready dancer. He can be both a deceived and deceiving husband, sometimes betraying the master by accepting bribes, other times serving with blind devotion.

  Callot shows Metzetin in a loose-fitting costume, wearing a huge hat and a short cape, and carrying a wooden sword like the Zannis. His half-mask has a large nose and he wears a large false beard.

History Harlequin & Mezzetino Pantaloon & The Doctor The Lover & The Captain The Inamorata Commedia dell'Arte Links

©David Claudon, 1999-2003.