Torchwood and Commedia dell Arte

[crabby_lioness]

In honor of the lovely cover of Gary Russell's book, I wanted to say a few things about what Ianto is wearing in the picture.  It's not clown makeup or "Joker" makeup.  It's the makeup/mask of Harlequin, one of the oldest figures in Western theatre.

Commedia dell Arte is a traditional form of Italian improvisational comedy that dates back to the Middle Ages, with roots going back to Ancient Greek commedies.  It has a group of professional actors, each of whom specializes in one traditional stereotypical character from the upper and lower classes.  The players wear traditional costumes and masks or makeup so the audience will know which traditional character they are playing.  The players meet every morning before a play and decide how their characters will react to a certain plot development.

Among the traditional characters are:

The Captain -- the oldest of the archtypes, he is a swaggering fellow in a spendid uniform who is always chasing the ladies.  He is always a foreigner who speaks with an accent.  His true history is always obscured and never as noble as he would like you to think.

The Doctor -- a buffoon with a high opinion of himself which others lack, dubious ability, and often dubious ethics.  He wears an old black coat or jacket and a perpetual frown.

But the most popular and best loved character is Harlequin, a.k.a. Arlechino. He is the quintessential sidekick, a faithful, clever servant whose schemes never quite go as planned, and who perpetually courts women who use or make fun of him.  He traditionally wears a diamond-checked costume, and his mask or makeup includes a tear to show he is always sad.  He often stands with his arms bent and his hands on his hips.

There are fewer female roles.  These include:

Isabella - the female lover

Columbine - the funny, clever female servant whom Harlequin adores

Another female character is the faithless wife, but I can't find her name at the moment.  I'll look more later.

The typical plot is of young love thwarted by pompous old windbags, with Harlequin having to sort out the mess.  Harequin is always trying to get in some courting of his own on the side, but he never succeeds.

Another traditional plot that goes back to the Middle Ages involves Harlequin falling mysteriously ill, being diagnosed as pregnant, and giving birth.

ETA:   pokerkittenwrote a nice addenmun which points out, among other things:

He embodies the younger generation within the Commedia, its satirical voice, and hence is not ridiculed to the same extent as the older. Not usually active in the main Commedia plots, he is involved in many minor intrigues, either on his own, or with other characters. He is notable for his impetuousity and resourcefulness. If he has an idea, no matter how farfetched, he will put it into action immediately, with no regard for the consequences

Some reference sites include:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commedia_dell'arte

http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/

http://www.davidclaudon.com/arte/commedia.html

ETA:  Gary Russell says he wouldn't deliberately use the Commedia in Torchwood.  Ah, well.  The analysis of the old forms still stands.

 

Comments

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

I'm sure there's an incredibly witty and intelligent explanation for every cultural good we own (as a matter of fact, I know there is). Fact is, most designers aren't coding things for cultural scientists and ethnologists, they're coding them for the common man who will read it accordingly.

That said, I was under the impression that playing cards have been used long before the Commedia, since Ancient China even, and that this is the Anglo-American play card set which AFAIK is a representation of famous kings and queens throughout history which first came into use under King James I. But I'm not really an expert in the subject of playing cards history, just something I picked up in the passing.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

The Jack of Hearts is used for obvious reasons, but playing cards first became popular in Europe in the "resort towns" of Italy and Southern France, the Commedia's home turf.

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

I think you're generalizing way too much, but that's not your fault. It's just the kind of phrasing we get beaten out of us usually. Anyhow, I get your point and this isn't a ethnological discourse, so let's leave it at that.