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Who is Tartaglia, the commedia dell'arte mask?
- SumMaSk
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Tartaglia is an iconic character from the Commedia dell'arte, originating in the Naples region.
He is generally portrayed as a notary, a civil servant, or a bureaucrat, which places him in an ambiguous social position: despised by the aristocracy and rejected by the common people, he is accepted nowhere. He is distinguished by his withdrawn nature and his stammer. Although he tries to assert his authority and intelligence, he fails to gain traction and is often ridiculed for his speech impediment and awkwardness. However, when he lets his guard down, he becomes terrifying, sometimes even tyrannical.
Who is Tartaglia, the commedia dell'arte mask
What are the origins of Tartaglia?Who is Tartaglia, the commedia dell'arte mask
Tartaglia first appeared in the Commedia dell'arte in 17th-century Naples. His name means "the one who stutters" in Italian, referring to his main comic characteristic: a pronounced stutter that punctuates his speech and makes him instantly recognizable on stage. Coming from a middle-class background, Tartaglia embodies the figure of the obsessive, inhibited, and limited petit bourgeois. Thus, he becomes a means of criticizing the administrative and intellectual classes who attempt social advancement without real success. Although less famous than other figures like Arlecchino or Pantalone, Tartaglia occupies an important place in the Commedia dell'arte.
What are Tartaglia's characteristics?
He has a stern face, a thin physique, and wears a somewhat old-fashioned black or gray suit, often with large glasses.
Psychologically, Tartaglia oscillates between two predominant emotions: fear and aggression. While he can sometimes be authoritarian, even tyrannical when he tries to assert himself, he remains deeply marked by a shyness and insecurity that make him vulnerable. Who is Tartaglia?
Article based on texts by Pierangelo and Robin Summa: La maschera è libertà, storia di un'insurrezione teatrale.
Libretto 1 : le origini della commedia dell'arte e qualche suo personaggio, Il Quaderno Edizioni
