The Zanni or Zani is a servant , immigrant worker and trickster commonly from the Lombardy venetian countryside . And is one of the most early and popular characters of the commedia Del arte. the Zanni is a variant of the Italian Gianni and refers to a single person or many .the Zanni was a character in his own right before being divided into a group of similar characters with specific traits. Two major types of the divided Zanni character were the silly servant (Brighella, Truffaldino) and the cunning servants (Arllechinno, Pulcinella) but before developing into these sub characters and personalities the Zanni was the original.
An actor playing a Zanni character must be clever and equal in talent as his success always lied in his partner’s dialogue, meaning that the Zanni could be funny but if his partner faltered then Zannis wit would fail. The attributes of the Zanni was his stance is low to the ground as if to look like he has carried many heavy bags and chairs all his life .when walking he takes small tiny steps with his head pecking like a chicken .his voice is loud and course due to constantly trying to be heard in the city streets and markets.
He is mostly known as the stupid servant henchman of the character Pantolone .ignorant, loutish and with no self awareness, so that the simple act of thinking seems unnatural to him. Although later sub Zanni characters would develop a cunning and cleverness. The Zanni characters use to the storyline of the play is by being a character who contributes to the confusion going on. And was also known to take items such as bags, food and letters from people.
Usually the Zanni costume consists of baggy white clothes which were the dress of the Italian peasants of the time, with a peaked hat and wooden sword .the Zanni mask was a protruded nose which the longer it was meant the more stupid the Zanni.
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