Zanni was a Commedia dell'arte trickster character. His name was a rural Lombard-Venetian version of Gianni and was a nickname for someone of no importance. He was one of the 1st commedia characters, appearing as early as the 14th century as a servant of the greedy Pantalonae. As the art form evolved,the character bifurcated, and 2 zannis were always present. The "1st zanni," the cunning servant "il furbo"(who became stock figures like Mezzetino and Brighella) was intended to advance the action; the "2nd zanni," the silly servant "lo stupido" (who became Arlecchino and Pulcinella) maintained a steady stream of comedy relief. The longer the nose on his mask, the stupider he was supposed to be.
Zanni (Italian: [ˈdzanni]), Zani or Zane is a character type of Commedia dell'arte best known as an astute servant and trickster.[1] The Zanni comes from the countryside and is known to be a "dispossessed immigrant worker".[2][Note 1] Through time, the Zanni grew to be a popular figure who was first seen in commedia as early as the 14th century.[3] The English word zany derives from this persona. The Zanni comes from the countryside and is known to be a "dispossessed immigrant worker".[2][Note 1] Through time, the Zanni grew to be a popular figure who was first seen in commedia as early as the 14th century.[3] The English word zany derives from this persona.
Zanni was a Commedia dell'arte trickster character. His name was a rural Lombard-Venetian version of Gianni and was a nickname for someone of no importance. He was one of the 1st commedia characters, appearing as early as the 14th century as a servant of the greedy Pantalonae. As the art form evolved,the character bifurcated, and 2 zannis were always present. The "1st zanni," the cunning servant "il furbo"(who became stock figures like Mezzetino and Brighella) was intended to advance the action; the "2nd zanni," the silly servant "lo stupido" (who became Arlecchino and Pulcinella) maintained a steady stream of comedy relief. The longer the nose on his mask, the stupider he was supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteZanni (Italian: [ˈdzanni]), Zani or Zane is a character type of Commedia dell'arte best known as an astute servant and trickster.[1] The Zanni comes from the countryside and is known to be a "dispossessed immigrant worker".[2][Note 1] Through time, the Zanni grew to be a popular figure who was first seen in commedia as early as the 14th century.[3] The English word zany derives from this persona.
The Zanni comes from the countryside and is known to be a "dispossessed immigrant worker".[2][Note 1] Through time, the Zanni grew to be a popular figure who was first seen in commedia as early as the 14th century.[3] The English word zany derives from this persona.