The word “pants” derives from the tight red pants worn by Pantalone (“PAN-tah-LOH-nay”) in performances of this theatrical form. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this traditional Italian theatrical form whose other stock characters include the Doctor and Harlequin.
ANSWER: commedia dell’arte (“koh-MAY-dee-ah dell-AR-tay”) [prompt on Italian comedy]
[10e] The stock characters of commedia dell’arte were often identified by their use of these objects. Examples of these objects showing a smile and a frown together symbolize theater.
ANSWER: theatrical masks [or maschere or maschera]
[10h] This author defended commedia dell’arte masks in his article “Hands off the Mask!” In a 1970 play by this Italian author, the Maniac disrupts Inspector Bertozzo’s (“bear-TOTS-oh’s”) investigations of the title character’s death by defenestration.
ANSWER: Dario Fo [or Dario Luigi Angelo Fo] (The play is Accidental Death of an Anarchist.)
<Joseph Krol, Literature - European - Drama> ~20078~ <Editor: Joseph Krol>