Commedia dell'Arte Characters Quiz

What is the origin of the name 'Zanni'?

• Derived from the Greek expression meaning 'powerful in all things'

• Named after a famous clown in Venice

• Diminutive of the Venetian name 'Giovanni'

• Derived from the Latin word 'zany'

What was the original name of the character Pantalone?

• Piantaleoni

• Magnifico

• Pantalone

• San Pantalone

What is the usual role of Il Dottore in Commedia dell'Arte?

• A notary or lawyer

• A mischievous maid

• A learned physician

• A faithful valet or servant

What is the usual role of Arlecchino in Commedia dell'Arte?

• A faithful valet or servant

• A clown providing comic relief

• A mischievous maid

• A vainglorious soldier

What is the physical appearance of Pulcinella in the Commedia dell'Arte?

• Resembles a cockerel

• Has a beaked nose

• Wears a colorful patchwork costume

• Has a puggish nose

What is the translation of the name 'Colombina' into English?

• Vain Soldier

• Faithful Valet

• Mischievous Maid

• Little Dove

What is the usual role of Il Capitano in Commedia dell'Arte?

• A vainglorious soldier

• A mischievous maid

• A shrewd servant

• A faithful valet or servant

What is the character of Brighella in the Commedia dell'Arte?

• A faithful valet or servant

• A vainglorious soldier

• A mischievous maid

• A shrewd servant

What was the original mask of the Zanni character in the Commedia dell'Arte?

• A full face mask with a long nose

• A half mask covering the upper half of the face

• A mask with a beaked nose

• A mask with a puggish nose

What was the usual costume of the Zanni character in the Commedia dell'Arte?

• A medieval doctor's suit with a ruff and a notary's beret

• A colorful and irregular patchwork costume

• A suit with multi-colored stripes and gilt buttons

• Dressed in sacking and hunched over