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ARLECHIN BATOCIO
BATOCIO (Bell's Clapper - Slapstick)
The "Batocio" is known for being Harlequin's short wooden club. Kind of tool for carrying out his work as a Zanni (from which Harlequin originates, in Bergamo). The Zanni were known as "facchini" people doing a menial very heavy job, lower level in the social scale.
The batocio in Harlequin's hands becomes a stage prop, something that may be used in different ways, from mixing up the polenta, as a knife or a spoon, the rare times he was actually eating (or
dreaming of).
Sometimes the batocio became a sword or a bat, for hitting other characters, fighting with the Zanni, for instance, using it as a club or a dagger.
The stage batocio was made of two strips of wood, and used as a slap stick, a special effects prop, after all, being able to convey to the public the blows which were given around and give action and
exaggeration to the scene it was used in.
This is how Harlequin once introduced himself in a play:
"Mi son Arlechin Batocio
Orbo de na recia e sordo da un ocio"
"My name is Arlechin Batocio
Blind in one ear and deaf in one eye"
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Giuseppe-Maria Mitelli - Harlequin (late 17th century)
The "batocio" in an engraving of the 17th century.
