1. Commedia Stock Characters
Group
Character
Status
Attributes
Modern Interpretation
The Vecchi
(Old Men/Masters)
Pantalone
Highest
Master, Rich Merchant, Obsessed with Money and young women. Very Greedy
Mr. Burns - Simpsons
Il Dottore (The Doctor)
Middle
Works for the rich. Pretends to be much more intelligent than he really is. Stuck up – but really stupid.
Dr. Nick – Simpsons
Dr Spaceman – 30 Rock
Il Capitano (The Captain)
A Military captain who thinks he is all that. Has no hesitation talking up his “skillz” – though is actually a massive coward and not that great at anything
Jonah Takalua – Summer Heights High
The Inammorati (The Lovers)
Isabella
High
Prima donna. She is obsessed with love and being in love and finding a husband and her beauty and how wonderful she is. Rich, beautiful and stupid. In some scenario she is Pantalone’s daughter. In other scenarios, she is his wife.
Sharpay – High School Musical
Cat Valentine – Victorious
Flavio
The Male equivalent to Isabella. Thinks he is desirable to all women. A complete romantic and obsessed with love. Is also stupid.
Gary – Geordie Shore
Mike “The Situation” – Jersy Shore
The Zanni
(The Servants)
Colombina
Middle or Low
Sassy, flirty and quick witted. Is sometimes Arlecchino’s love interest. Perhaps the smartest character of all.
Think a combination of Lisa Simpson and Gloria from Modern Family
Brighella
Low
Tough guy servant. Always out for himself and is willing to boss everyone (especially Arlecchino) around. Gets angry really easily.
Any Adam Sandler Character (Happy Gilmore, Billy Maddison). Especially how Adam Sandler’s characters get very angry very quickly.
Arlecchino
Loveable but really stupid. Very physical and energetic. Always hungry and obsessed with food. Usually is the one that makes mistakes, though miraculously makes things right again eventually.
Luke – Modern Family
Homer Simpson – The Simpsons
Kenneth – 30 Rock