Difference between revisions of "Harlequin"
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==[[Harlequin]] the character== | ==[[Harlequin]] the character== | ||
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| + | According to is the best-known of the ''zanni'' or comic servant characters from the Italian [[Commedia dell'arte]]. Believed to have been created by Zan Ganassa in the late 16th century, and was definitively popularized by the Italian actor Tristano Martinelli in Paris in 1584–1585[2] and became a stock character after Martinelli's death in 1630. | ||
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| + | The Harlequin is characterized by his chequered costume. His role is that of a light-hearted, nimble and astute servant, often acting to thwart the plans of his master, and pursuing his own love interest, Columbina, with wit and resourcefulness, often competing with the sterner and melancholic Pierrot. He later develops into a prototype of the romantic hero. | ||
== Harlequinades and pantomimes containing the name performed in South Africa== | == Harlequinades and pantomimes containing the name performed in South Africa== | ||
Revision as of 06:32, 9 March 2017
Harlequin is the name of one of the best known of the servant characters (zanni) from the Italian commedia dell'arte[1].
Originally Arlecchino in Italian, becoming Arlequin in French, Harlequin in English, Harlekijn or Arlekyn in Dutch and Harlekyn in Afrikaans.
Based on Harlekijn in Dutch it is the source of the noun harlekyn, meaning "clown"[2], in Afrikaans. (Alternative Afrikaans words for clown are hanswors, nar and paljas).
Contents
Harlequin the character
According to is the best-known of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte. Believed to have been created by Zan Ganassa in the late 16th century, and was definitively popularized by the Italian actor Tristano Martinelli in Paris in 1584–1585[2] and became a stock character after Martinelli's death in 1630.
The Harlequin is characterized by his chequered costume. His role is that of a light-hearted, nimble and astute servant, often acting to thwart the plans of his master, and pursuing his own love interest, Columbina, with wit and resourcefulness, often competing with the sterner and melancholic Pierrot. He later develops into a prototype of the romantic hero.
Harlequinades and pantomimes containing the name performed in South Africa
The name also occurs as, and in, the title of plays and performances, often referred to as "harlequinades"[3] or "pantomimes".
Click on the appropriate title below to go to the particular entry:
Harlequin and Mother Goose, or The Golden Egg
Oud tot Jong Gemaald, of De Krommesprongen van Harlequin
Par a Par, a Gar a Nous, or Harlequin Protected by the Magician
Robinson Crusoe, or Harlequin Friday
Three Witches, or Harlequin Reanimated
Harlequin and the Magic Donkey
Arlequin, of De Gelukkige Visscher
Arlequin Protégé par Belphégor
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commedia_dell%27arte
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequinade
F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [4]: pp. 434.
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