Scapino
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Scapino, Scappino, or Scapin, is a zanni character from the commedia dell'arte. His name is related to the English word "escape" in reference to his tendency to flee from fights, even those which he himself began. He has been dated back to the end of the 16th century. He is a Bergamo native, and was popularized by the actor Gabrielli.
Later versions show his costume as having green (or sometimes turquoise) and white stripes, similar to Mezzetino's red and white, but Callot shows Scapino in an outfit similar to the early Brighella's being white with a tabaro and a sword on his belt, and topped with a torn hat adorned with feathers. He is in fact a variant on Brighella, but more cowardly and less clever. Some people call him Brighella's brother, some his son.
Scapino tends to make a confusion of anything he undertakes and metaphorically "flees" from one thought, occupation or love interest to another, as his name implies, although he usually will return to it -- eventually. Self-preservation and self-interest are his main concerns. It is not to say his wits are without merit however: In Molière’s play, Zerbinette mentions what “a clever servant [Léandre] has. His name is Scapin. He is a most wonderful man and deserves the highest praise.” He is a schemer and scoundrel, and takes a certain pride in these facts. He was originally a masked character although later versions usually have the actor simply powder his face. He is traditionally shown with a hooked nose and a pointed beard.
Like Brighella, Scapino is a jack-of-all-trades and depends on the needs of the scenario for his occupation. He is the title character in Molière's play Les Fourberies de Scapin.
[edit] Examples of Scapino's character
From Molière:
SCAPIN: To tell you the truth, there are few things impossible to me when I once set about them. Heaven has bestowed on me a fair enough share of genius for the making up of all those neat strokes of mother wit, for all those ingenious gallantries to which the ignorant and vulgar give the name of impostures; and I can boast, without vanity, that there have been very few men more skilful than I in expedients and intrigues, and who have acquired a greater reputation in the noble profession. But, to tell the truth, merit is too ill rewarded nowadays, and I have given up everything of the kind since the trouble I had through a certain affair which happened to me.
OCTAVE: How? What affair, Scapin?
SCAPIN: An adventure in which justice and I fell out.
OCTAVE: Justice and you?
SCAPIN: Yes; we had a trifling quarrel.
SILVESTRE: You and justice?
SCAPIN: Yes. She used me very badly; and I felt so enraged against the ingratitude of our age that I determined never to do anything for anybody. But never mind; tell me about yourself all the same.
