IN LESSON AND FOR HOMEWORK YOU SHOULD WRITE A ‘SAMPLE’ ESSAY ON TRUFFALDINO (PUTTING INTO ACTION ALL YOUR RECENT RESEARCH)
YOU WILL END UP WITH A FULL INTRODUCTION (GENERIC + YOUR OWN TAKE ON THE QUESTION) – FOLLOWED BY 2 FULL PARAGRAPHS LOOKING AT TRUFFALDINO’S 1ST ENTRANCE AND ANOTHER MOMENT. YOU WILL USE QUOTES FROM THE PLAY AND YOUR RESEARCH IN EVERY PARAGRAPH
Traits that sum up Truffaldino.
Servant (social status = low, but he can invert this)
Under-dog (creates a strong bond with the audience)
Hungry (‘a body-character’)
Poor (peasant) Looking for work
Thinks he’s clever
Lives in the moment.
Amoral not immoral (doesn’t know the difference between good and bad)
A rebel (anarchic – rule-breaker)
Write out this question: (identify key/command words)
As a performer, discuss how you would perform the role of Truffaldino in at least two sections of the play in order to convey your interpretation of the character to the audience. You must make specific reference to the social, cultural and/or historical context of A Servant to Two Masters in your answer.
Is this an Open or Closed Question?
Write your generic Introduction? [1-2 lines]
Give a summary of the character and his basic plot.
Show you know something of his traditional portrayal and how Goldoni has changed him in this play.
State your Interpretation in the first 3-4 scenes (1st impressions you want audience to have).
THINK/ DISCUSS –What are the ‘GO-TO’ moments you could use to illustrate your “interpretation” from the first 4 scenes?
Paragraph #1 (PEE structure)1st entrance & disregard for authority
Where and How does Truff. make his 1st impression.
How does he show his disregard for authority?
Paragraph #2 (PEE structure)Lustful urges
How does he show his basic urges like ‘lust’?
What’s the reaction from the audience?
OR
Paragraph #3 (PEE structure)Talking to the audience
Act 1 Scene 4 (Monologue) – What’s the effect/reason for him talking to the audience?
Read the Commentary on Truffaldino (your copy of the set text) On the double page in your Journal make specific notes on the skills needed to play him, his origins, his characteristics (traits) and how he was developed by Goldoni. (Use the appropriate side – Traditional vs Goldoni’s Reforms)
stock character – stereotype –
character traits (adjectives)
animal types
Mask (draw it!)
Costume
Motivation
Social background (where is he from, what do others think of him, what does he think of himself?)
Watch the Harlequin section from the Blog / films clip [The World of Commedia – Post: 31st October 2022] and take notes on MOVEMENT.
Piccolo Theatre Servant of Two Masters, Omen Sade (Performer) as Arlecchino/Truffaldino in traditional commedia dell’arte costume with white-with-multi-colored-triangles, hat, battoccio (stick/club) and leather mask created by Antonio Fava.
As well as your NOTES you MUST find answers to these questions.
10. Why is he called Truffaldino and not Harlequin?
11. Are there any changes that Truff. undergoes at the hands of Goldoni.
12. What does Niniar Kinnar-Wilson mean when he says that Harlequinio is ‘amoral not immoral’?
CLASS WORK
Watch Video: Servant of Two Masters: Commedia Character Shorts-Lesson Two: Truffaldino (Go to 58 secs in and watch to 2 min 25 secs)
Discussion points:
What’s the Dr Lombardi line that is quotes mean to you?
———————————————————————-
Watch this demonstration for physicality.
Watch Video (Go to 46 secs in and watch to 2 min 45 secs)
Discussion points:
Why does Truff. stand straight out to the audience?
Light or Heavy
Lazzo of the Fly (9 mins in)
What is this showing us about the character?
Read or Stage the 1st Entrance {always a good idea to talk about the 1st entrance if given a question about interpretation or aims/effects} Start at 8:45 mins in
What do you notice about his energy? / Energy: Direct or Indirect?
What do you notice about focus (on whom?)
Goldoni says in his own introduction “to the Readers” that Truff. can be ‘doltish’
adjective
(of a person) stupid; idiotic: a doltish character.
When he operates in a thoughtless fashion
(eg: tearing up the bill of exchange – act 2 sc 9 – P51-55)
And then ‘mischievous’
adjective
1 causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way: mischievous children | a mischievous grin.
(eg: serving 2 masters – act 2 sc 12)
PREPARATION FOR TRUFFALDINO (ACTOR) ESSAY
Examiner’s say the Indicative content for a performer focused question could include [remember you wouldn’t be expected to cover it all!!]
physical appearance, age, height, build, colouring, facial features
vocal qualities, pitch, pace, tone, accent
delivery of specific lines: interaction with others, eye contact, spatial relationships, physical contact
use of space
XXXX’s relationship with other KEY characters
movement, gesture, gait, posture, energy, demeanour and facial expressions
style/use of costume/make-up; of props and accessories
specific performance ideas clearly calculated to reveal the specified interpretation in key scenes, for example:
Social, cultural or historical context might include, for example:
reference to stock characters
structure of play
concepts of Commedia – lazzi, audience interaction
Extension: How has the character of Truff. been modified?
