The Influence of Titus Plautus on Commedia Dell' Arte
All art forms are being influenced by certain substances
that give a new modification to that art form. The theatre has also
significantly been captivated by the Commedia. In the 16th century, this genre
introduced where people used to act in theatres in traveling troupes. Comedy or
comic gestures and one-liners can lift the essence of the writing, and it can
change the whole perspective towards a new zone. Comedy plays a vital role in
changing the embodiment of it. Commedia has inspired many theatre forms, such
as Shakespearean, Opera, Moliere, and musical theatre.
An essential trait of
this genre is that they use props to represent that comedy element to the
audience and amuse them with their wicked actions. It is still present in the
form of writing, plotting, and characterization. This Commedia is a mixture of
comedy, romance and also shows grief and tragedy. The tragedy is very humorous.
This Commedia can be seen in Shakespeare's work, in which the element becomes
visible in his career as a comedy. Art has different forms and genres and
influences everyone towards positivity and prosperity.
In my perspective, it
helps to let people know about life's bitter realities through humor or comedy.
The writers and actors greatly influence people and can motivate them through
this art form. This Commedia is a theatrical style performed by the actors and
has been inspirational to all. (Brown, Peter.,255). Commedia dell'Arte has
powerful dialogues that can influence people. It can help generate different
perspectives on the theatrical performances and stories displayed by the
actors.
Influence through Comedy and Theatrical Apprehensiveness
“Regardless of
whether we are taking an exceptionally dated style, for example, commedia, I
can just imaging the over-overstated signal and development improving the
humor, without separating the crowd." (Klass, Nicole, 66)
The most astounding thing about this art form is its
influence through various comedy or theatrical apprehensiveness.
It is essential to indulge in the beauty of all sorts of art forms. The Plautus
is a dignified Roman Latin playwright of the Old Latin period, and it has
influenced various art forms abruptly. The transitions from Plautus serve Roman
to Servi of Commedia. Plautus's intelligence is in all the theatrical works
with the essence of comedy that makes the situations more appropriate and
exciting. Roman heritage is broad and apprehensive in all genres, and it has a
dignified way of expressing the emotions amazingly. Plautus's intelligence is
on the stage, and when it's with the element of comedy, it becomes a deadly
combination. The spice of intelligence is lost somewhere, and comedy takes over
everything. Humor is a vast genre that helps explore the pain and tragedy, but
it would be so that it would not pierce any painful stuff in the people they
grasp the things with light mood. We must accept society's bitter realities and
harshness that can be indulged easily into people's minds. They are more open
to the situation, and they can adapt to the problem quickly.
The most iconic and distinguished ancient Roman playwrights
were Plautus, an inspiration for many, and he was one of the most influential
people. He started his career when he was going through a rough patch in life.
When a person is going through hard times and painful situations, one turns out
to be more patient and thankful, or the other condition is that the person
turns into something he shouldn't be. The cruelty of life can mold you to be a
good human being or the worst human being. The people who are into the arts
develop deep thoughts about all the situations and problems they face. These
situations leave a significant impact on their minds as these people are
sensitive and soft-hearted. This impact makes them so naïve about the
positions, and we can feel the pain and grief in their form of art.
A poet who
has a rough time when he writes stories or poems can assess that the writer has
jotted down all the ruthless and painful things into words. These poems and
writings have a significant impact on people's minds, and the genres are
connected to pain and are somehow related to happiness and excitement. The
excitement and pain go hand in hand. Plautus was very respectful, and he
started working as the translator of Greek playwright Menander. He was so keen
to do the translations, and it was the learning process, but he was not only
doing the translations. He was also modifying the comedies written by Menander
and altered them into something ethereal.
The world of theatre evolved throughout the times, and it
was turbulent throughout Europe. People deeply connected with the theatres
because it was the primary entertainment source for people of old times. The
evolved previous art forms are always influencing new art forms. During the
16th century, the Italians developed an ethereal art form that enhanced all the
details. The Italians developed this art form, and it was praiseworthy, so
people started liking it and following it. Later it was popular in the whole of
Europe. Wearing masks was a characterization of this art form. The stereotypes
influenced this typical art form, and the stories are beautifully
displayed.
The Plautus is influencing this genre and can generate into
Commedia in a very positive way. We have to teach that all art forms are influenced
by each other and impact the art form. The artist was changing their attires,
and they were wearing masks that were displaying amazing stories. The actors or
artists who imitate actions have to express everything through their eyes,
gestures, and movements. It is challenging to maintain those expressions. This
technique is thoughtful for the students, observers, or the people who
influence the arts and understand the intensity of art and its impact on
people. This technique is still being observed by the people in the twentieth
century as well. The roles exhibit in a very significant way that influences
the audiences. The scenarios and situations are so amusing to be observed by
the people. (Henke, Robert,1-12).
This art form significantly impacts the people moving in
society, having a load of their grief and pains in the lifespan. The masks,
corsets, belts, colors, and makeup they used for presenting the story create a
significant impact. The people spotlight is in the category and praised for
their uncanny actions. The people are still following the trend, and the people
in the sitcoms are using Commedia. The observation for attire and execution
continues since then. The stories and two or three-act shows show different
situations on the stage filled with chaos or amusement. The outline and the
establishment of the primary three characterizing components of the Commedia
are the structure, character, and utilization of parody. (Siguret,
Françoise,161-162). The synopsis and the foundation of the main three defining
elements of the Commedia are the structure, character, and use of satire.
(Siguret, Françoise,161-162).
Wearing Masks in Theaters
"The basic energies of
Commedia dell' Arte can effectively be delivered into the nighttime, obscured
rooms we call theaters, yet simply after their latent capacity has been
completely evolved in the full light of day." (Rudlin, John,48)
Rudlin believes that a person who thinks that to adhere to
Commedia's essence is mandatory that the person must go out and put on a mask
on their face. Wearing the mask would help to inhabit Commedia's art that one
should not over-rehearsing, which would kill the spontaneity. This has
consistency, basically a platform or a scenario. These acts usually have three
acts. These acts are so ethereal and astounding, and these acts have
appropriate proportions, and it leaves a mark on the minds of the people.
(O'Neill, John,11-37).
In Commedia dell' Arte, an artist's leading personality
disappears, and the author's thoughts just run through the face of the people
and only display the author's experience. The author demonstrates his thoughts
and ideas that he has seen. The artists usually portray their own experiences
and express their pains and problems that made them stronger and evolved them to
be better. This amusing thing can change the thinking and approach of many
people who are sad or not ok with the situations but fail to get over the
problems quickly. It is hard to get away with the impact of harmful incidents
and bad phases that we have been through in life. The discrimination of society
has changed the lives of the people, and they have to change.
Every person goes
through challenging situations in life; we should not keep that baggage on our
shoulders when we cannot get over that. We should let go of things and the
masks that are being pulled off by the people, and these masks hide all the
problems and pains we have faced in our lives. We should wear the mask of
positivity and happiness on our faces and go through the painful phase without
being judged. We should be optimistic about life and the difficulties life
threw at us. We should tackle all such things with a vast mind and a positive
approach. The Canovaccio is a straightforward summation, a specialized sign of
picturesque substance, and a rundown of characters and the activity to be
cultivated by them (Rudlin 53). The story shows the circumstance has love,
cash, and retaliation.
When people want entertainment, they need such real mediums
to be approached by the people to let go of all the worries and let happiness
prevail in their lives. It is vital to get in the stuff that let us forget
about the sad things that happened to us in our life. All human beings go
through hard times in their lives. No one has all the happiness in their lives.
The element of joy is engulfed with sorrows and miseries as well. The
theatrical performances give satisfaction to the audience. It also enhances the
non-openly discussed social issues on regular days. (Wyllie, Barbara.567-596).
Influence on Poetry
"Plautus was regarded by the
Romans as their best screenwriter. Plautus' time, which follows back as right
on time as the last 50% of the third century B.C., can be perceived as a very
recognized time for comedy." (Klass, Nicole, 12)
Commedia has influenced Shakespeare, and great writers and
poets greatly influence many others. This genre of Commedia is so
thought-provoking and influential as well. It has a significant impact on
society, and it can change the worst situations into a lighter mode. Plautus has
indulged the maturity into comedy and the perspective to change the thoughts
that are a slow process that has evolved the literature into this art form.
Plautus has attained adaptations of the plots, scenes, and situations from the
comedy. It has changed the problems, and the enhancements' thought process has
changed things for the better. We should adopt new techniques and approaches to
make things more appropriate for various people in their lives. (Stachowicz,
Klaudia,199-120)
Work Cited:
Brown, Peter. "Plautus and Terence in Tudor
England." The Reinvention of Theatre in Sixteenth-century Europe:
Traditions, Texts, and Performance. 2017. 255.
Henke, Robert. "Literati and Peddlers: The Commedia
dell'Arte and the German Idea of Weltliteratur." A Companion to World
Literature. 2020. 1-12.
Klass, Nicole S. "MOLIÈRE AND COMMEDIA DELL'ARTE:
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE." 2003. Web. 2020. 12.
O'Neill, John. "Improvisation in La entretenida:
tracing the influence of plautus and the Commedia dell'arte on Cervantes."
Cervantes: Bulletin of the Cervantes Society of America 36.1. 2016. 11-37.
Siguret, Françoise. "Michela Zaccaria, Primedonne.
Flaminia e Silvia dalla Commedia dell'Arte a Marivaux." 2020. 161-162.
Stachowicz, Klaudia. "Plautus and the Italian commedia
erudita: Plautine reminiscences in" La Cassaria" by Ludovico
Ariosto." 2020. 199-210.
Rudlin, John. Commedia dell'arte: An Actor's Handbook. New
York: Routhedge. 1994. 48.
Wyllie, Barbara. "Vagabonding Masks: The Italian
Commedia dell'Arte in the Russian Artistic Imagination." 2020. 567-569.
