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IL CAPITANO (The Captain)
The mask of the Captain with all certainty widely pleased the population which was oppressed by those mercenary occupation armies, as very often happened in the Italy of 16th century (even before and
after, as a matter of fact ...), kind of a platonic revenge toward the oppressor, and especially toward the mercenary soldiers, mainly ignorant, violent brutes who would take advantage in all senses
of the poor subordinate populations.
First Captains ever in the Commedia dell'Arte were Italians in the speech and uniforms, these being as much as possible an exaggeration of the real ones, and changed with time, armies and fashion.
The Captain mask later became of Spanish origins (Borboni!) and with his heavy Spanish accent and pitiless irony built around his figure sometimes created some animosity in the audience.
The
Captain soon disappeared from the Commedia's usual cast, his last appearances date from the beginning of the 18th century.
Several names apply to the Captain in his hundred and some years of Commedia activity: Capitan Spavento di Vall'Inferna (Captain Fright of Hell's Valley) was definitely the most widely known, but also
others, Capitan Fracasso (Big Noise, but also Failure in Spanish), Terremoto (Earthquake), Spaccamonti (Mountain Burster), Sangr y Fuego (Blood & Fire -Sp.), Matamoros (Moors Killer -Sp.),
Spezzaferro (Iron Breaker), Rodomonte (probably deriving from the Rhodes Colossus, meaning a huge and very powerful man).
Also Scaramouche starts up as a Captain, but later on he gets a life of his own.
Long pointy moustaches, huge sword (never used), several daggers at his belt, the Captain talks more than he actually fights, he's very brave in his own words, but usually gets scared and flies off
stage when Harlequin enters with his "batocio", Harlequin's short wooden club.
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"Ce Capitain fait grand esclat
Et sa valeur est si parfaite
Qu'il est de derniers au combat
Et des premiers à la retraite"
"This Captain makes so much noise
And his bravery is so perfect
That he's one of the last to join the combat
And one of the first to beat a retreat"
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