COMMEDIA Meaning and
Definition
-
Commedia, also known as commedia dell'arte, is a form of Italian theater that originated in the 16th century. The word "commedia" translates to "comedy" in Italian, but it encompasses much more than just humor. It is a theatrical style characterized by improvisation, physical comedy, stock characters, and masks.
Commedia is often performed by a troupe of actors who use stock characters representing various stereotypes of Italian society, such as the foolish servant, the greedy merchant, or the wily old man. These characters wear distinctive masks, enabling the audience to easily identify and relate to them. The performances are highly energetic and interactive, with actors engaging the audience through communication and witty banter.
One of the key elements of commedia is improvisation. Actors have a general outline of the plot and a list of potential scenarios, but much of the dialogue and action is created spontaneously in response to the audience's reactions. This allows for a dynamic and unpredictable performance, ensuring that each show is unique.
Commedia was influential in paving the way for modern comedy and has left a lasting impact on theater and entertainment. Its physicality, use of stock characters, and audience engagement continue to be incorporated into contemporary comedy, such as slapstick, farce, and sitcoms. Commedia remains a vibrant and celebrated theatrical tradition, appreciated for its timeless humor and vibrant performances.
Common Misspellings for COMMEDIA
- xommedia
- vommedia
- fommedia
- dommedia
- cimmedia
- ckmmedia
- clmmedia
- cpmmedia
- c0mmedia
- c9mmedia
- conmedia
- cokmedia
- cojmedia
- comnedia
- comkedia
- comjedia
- commwdia
- commsdia
- commddia
- commrdia
Etymology of COMMEDIA
The word "commedia" comes from the Italian language. It derives from the Latin word "comoedia", which in turn originated from the Greek word "kōmōidia". The Greek word "kōmōidia" is a combination of two words: "kōmos" meaning "revel" or "merrymaking" and "aoidos" meaning "singer". In ancient Greece, "kōmōidia" referred to a type of theatrical performance that involved humorous or satirical plays. Over time, the term evolved and found its way into the Italian language as "commedia", which broadly means "comedy" but particularly refers to the genre of improvised theater and later became associated with the famous Italian Commedia dell'arte.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
