Scaramouche

Scaramuccia in 1860

Scaramouche (from Italian scaramuccia, literally "little skirmisher"), also known as scaramouch, is a stock clown character of the commedia dell'arte (comic theatrical arts of Italian literature). The role combined characteristics of the Zanni (servant) and the Capitano (masked henchman). Usually attired in black Spanish dress and burlesquing a Don, he was often beaten by Harlequin for his boasting and cowardice.

History

Although Tiberio Fiorillo (1608–1694) was not the first to play the role, he greatly developed and popularized it. He removed the mask, used white powder on his face, and employed grimaces. He had a small beard, long mustache, and wore a predominantly black costume with a white ruff. In France he became known as scaramouche.[1]

Portrait of Tiberio Fiorilli as Scaramouche by Pietro Paolini

In the 19th century the English actor Joseph Grimaldi and his son J. S. Grimaldi made numerous appearances as Scaramouche.

Character

Scaramouche entertains the audience by his "grimaces and affected language". Salvator Rosa says that Coviello (like Scaramouche) is "sly, adroit, supple, and conceited". In Molière's The Bourgeois Gentleman, Coviello disguises his master as a Turk and pretends to speak Turkish. Both Scaramouche and Coviello can be clever or stupid—as the actor sees fit to portray him.

In puppetry

Scaramouche is one of the great characters in the Punch and Judy puppet shows (a performative art with roots in commedia dell'arte). In some scenarios, he is the owner of The Dog, another stock character. During performances, Punch frequently strikes Scaramouche, causing his head to come off his shoulders. Because of this, the term scaramouche has become associated with a class of puppets with extendable necks.

J. S. Grimaldi as Scaramouche, c. 1815

Scaramouche in politics

Anthony Scaramucci was named the White House communications director in July 2017 and removed later that same month; this prompted an 8,185% increase in searches for "Scaramouche" according to Merriam-Webster.[5] Acclaimed cartoonist Ruben Bolling hinted at some striking congruities between Anthony Scaramucci's conduct in office and the defining traits of the theatrical figure.[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ Hartnoll 1983, pp. 282 ("Fiorillo, Tiberio"), 735 ("Scaramuccia").
  2. ↑ Knapper, Stephen (2007). "Scaramouche: The Mask and the Millenium". In Robb, David. Clowns, Fools and Picaros: Popular Forms in Theatre, Fiction and Film. Rodopi. pp. 127, 135–138. ISBN 90-420-2340-6.
  3. ↑ Asprin, Robert 1990. Phule's Company, Penguin Putnam Ltd. p. 7.
  4. ↑ Stoppard, Tom 1991. Rough Crossing and On the Razzle, 1st ed., Faber and Faber Ltd. p. 86.
  5. ↑ "Anthony Scaramucci Prompts Search Of ‘Scaramouch’ And People Can’t Handle The Definition". Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. ↑ http://boingboing.net/2017/08/01/in-the-writers-room-creatin.html

Bibliography

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