the Commedia Del Arte Lovers

The Innamoreti which is Italian for lovers, are the characters whose sole purpose in the play is to set the plot for the rest of the show, and who must despite all obstacles must reunite.

The lovers are always over dramatic in everything they say and do, often acting in childlike ways. a good example of this is in how when the lovers are separated they lament and moan about their separation but once united need the help of servants or go betweens  to express their feelings for each other. Another example is how they stomp, pout, cry and whine and generally have a tantrum if they are not getting their own way.

Essentially the lovers are in their own worlds throughout the play, and are in love with the idea of being in love. And shows them as too unintelligent to figure out how to overcome the obstacles in their way, this leads to the comedy characters helping and ridiculing the lovers.

The relationship between the lovers is more to do with there being interested and overtaken in the idea of romance rather the other lover. The characters never openly acknowledge their feelings for each other due to nerves and more commonly they bicker and fight like children , also showing there childishness. The lovers always reconcile and marry in the end; often the lovers will interact with the audience by either calling for advice, help or even to flirt.

Their physical attributes are unique in that they are the only characters to not wear masks but instead both wear lots of makeup. The lovers are always young, attractive, selfish, elegant and courteous. The female wears rich silks and flash expensive jewellery whilst the male wears military attire and a wig. Both stand with a posture to indicate pride with their chests and feet pointing outwards. The lovers always have the same names in the plays either Cinzio, Silvio, Ortenssio for the men and Angelica, Isabella and Flaminia for the female .there speech is elegant and musical with them often singing and reciting poetry leading to the audience and other characters not taking any of their dialogue to seriously.

For more Commedia Del Arte character  masks just visit venetian masquerade masks.

ideally if you would like a couples mask why not try the his and hers mask selection.