There are three main kinds of types in Commedia dell’arte
- Il Vecchi - old men
- Il Zanni - Servants
- Gli Innamorati - the lovers
· Pantalone (the king): The wealthy, miserly old man. Wears a mask with a hooked nose, wrinkled face, and bushy eyebrows
- Stance: Stomach forward and toes up (resting on heels)
- Movement: walk - small steps, poses - stiff, movements - static, gestures - uses a lot of space
- Costume: Military clothing and uniform
- Origin: Character from the Italian Renaissance Props: Sword
- Stance: Feet apart
- Movement: Walk -mountain walk
- Poses - Sitting with legs apart
- Plot: Becomes humiliated
There are also three archetypes for the Zanni (servants), who also have their own masks:
Arlecchino (trickster): Acrobatic, tricky and childlike. He wears a mask of a sly, amused expression and a short nose.
- Costume: Tight jacket and pants with green, yellow and red patches
- Stance: Low position and hunched over and in the air (jumping)
- Plot: Scheming
- Brighella (occasionally the villain) : Very tough and macho. His half mask is usually green of colour and dons a stern and greedy expression
- Columbia (mother): Smart maid, has a lot of wisdom, and she is very playful and loving. She does not always wear a mask, but when she does it is small.
- Origin: A link from Roman theatre
- Stance: Knee bent and leg extended
- Plot: Effects outcomes of consequences
Gli innamorati (the lovers) are vain and very in love with each other. They do not wear masks. (Innocence)
- Stance: Ballet positions
- Movement: walk - balletic movements, gestures - holding a flower to the face or a handkerchief
- Plot: Indispensable