Commedia Dell Arte Essays

Commedia Dell Arte Essays Commedia Dell Arte Essay Commedia Dell Arte Essay This term during our drama lessons we have been exploring and learning about Commedia dell’Arte, a comical and slapstick style of theatre that first became popular in Italy during the 16th century. I had never heard of Commedia before we began studying it in class, so my first impressions were that it was extremely over the top and exaggerated! At the start of the topic I didn’t think that I would enjoy it very much as, because of the use of stock characters, I felt that there would be little room for creativity and making the performances original and inventive.However I was proved wrong and I learnt that although all the characters are the same, everyone interprets them differently so I enjoyed watching other groups portray the likes of Il Dottore and Columbina in ways that I would never have thought of. Commedia first came about in 16th century Italy and was performed on temporary stages in city streets and market places. The troupes of actors performed for all socia l classes, and as their plays mostly took place outside, were accessible to all.Using skilful and strangely understandable mime and grummelot, stereotypical stock characters, masks with exaggerated features, over the top physical movements and improvised dialogue, Commedia actors were accepted and enjoyed wherever they went. As the style grew in popularity, it spread to Europe and has influenced every other theatre style. Charlie Chaplin and the Marx Brothers are direct descendants of Commedia, using mime and slapstick. Commedia has gone on to influence sitcoms (you have the bosses, the workers, the stupid one etc) and even Shakespeare, especially A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Merchant of Venice.The over the top style shows in modern pantomimes, with the loud and bubbly portrayal of characters. There are different stock characters that represent the different stereotypes in society. One of the most famous is Arlecchino, who is of the zanni (servant) status, usually servin g Pantalone, but also frequently Il Capitano, or Il Dottore. He was very agile and a skilled acrobat, however he has often been described as absent minded. Arlecchino was always hungry but had no money, and there is an story saying that his costume covered in mismatching diamond shapes was made from off cuts of old mardi gras outfits of his richer friends.He carries a wooden slapstick disguised as a bat or sword and wears a cat-like mask to suit is agile movements. The mask also often has a wart on his low forehead and he is ragged, yet sleek. Continuously in a lowered position (especially in the presence of characters higher up than himself), Arlecchino walks with his hands on his hips and thumbs in his belt. Despite his curved back from carrying heavy bags and chairs, he has acute energy throughout his body. He walks similarly to other zanni, but in a much more balletic and supple way.One of the main things that separates Arlecchino from your standard zanni is that he has the inte lligence and creativity to hatch cunning plans, although they rarely unfold how he would like. He is often described as being â€Å"quick in body but slow in mind†. His character is essential in creating interesting complications in the plot of the entire performance, as his failed schemes mess things up for others. Arlecchino is often used as a messenger, but likes to add his own thoughts and opinions to the messages.A bit of a ladies’ man, he is often the lover of Columbina Although she is also classed as a zanni, Columbina is better dressed than male servants since she is a lady’s maid. She apron with a dress underneath. Usually, her colourful skirts fell just below her knee and the neckline of her bodice low and frilled, reflecting her flirty character. She is dressed similarly to her mistress with the addition of the apron, unless she is with Arlecchino in which cases she wears the diamond pattern to match his.Columbina sometimes wears a mask that just cove rs her eyes, but she is also commonly seen wearing heavy eye makeup instead. She is considered to be very attractive, and carries a tambourine to shoo unwanted admirers away. Because of her corset, Columbina’s waist is tiny but her hips are very wide in comparison. She sit on one hip when she stands (one leg bent, the other straight) and leans forward to show off her cleavage. She flicks her legs when she walks, making the zanni walk grander. Due to her keen and active brain, she can hold her own in most troublesome situations.She is often seen as the only rational person out of all the Commedia stock characters. She eats well and has nice clothes as well as being able to read and write. The main difference between Columbina and Arlecchino is that he thinks on his feet, whereas she uses her brain and thinks things through. Like Il Capitano she can appear onstage alone, and sometimes even performs the prologue. As well as being a class of servants, Zanni is also the name of th e character that sits right at the bottom of the Commedia hierarchy.His costume is a simple, white, baggy garment originally made from flour sacks. Zanni is a bit of a slacker and always bent over and hunched. His vision is poor as is his hearing which results in him being extremely clumsy. The movements Zanni makes are always urgent and his voice is rough. As in all Commedia characters, the length of his nose indicates how stupid he is and his head bobbles like a chicken when he walks. My favourite lesson was the mime amp; grummelot one. Grummelot is a series of gibberish sounds that actors use instead of dialogue.When done properly it allows the audience to understand what is going on between the characters even though no words are being said due to the tone of voice and exaggerated gestures and facial expressions. My partner and I improvised a scene between Zanni and Il Dottore. The person playing Zanni had a hunched posture and low centre of gravity and Il Dottore was on a highe r level to show his social status. The plot consisted of a drunken Dottore ordering Zanni to move a plank using a slurring tone and swaying around to show his drunkenness.Zanni would keep hitting Il Dottore over the head with the plank due to his poor sight and urgent movements. In the end, Il Dottore got angry with Zanni because he had run out of drink, so he storms off, tripping over the plank that he made Zanni move. I could improve by being louder and more exaggerated on stage. I have learnt all about Commedia and it tells us that people at this time enjoyed humorous plays. Studying drama is important for empathising, confidence and self awareness.

Vision and Mission of Japan Airline Group Essay

Vision and Mission of Japan Airline Group - Essay Example It embraces complying with environmental laws and regulations, promoting efficient use of energy and resources, waste reduction and recycling, selecting environment-friendly products, and social contributions. The Japan Airlines Group Code of Conduct clearly articulates the values that the company pursues with regard to different aspects of its business activities. On the other hand, the group’s vision statement, although stating how the company sees its development and emphasizing global expansion, specifics of the supporting industry, and focus on differentiation, would benefit from more precise and quantifiable approach to what the Japan Airlines want to become. For instance, their vision statement may be â€Å"to become the world leading company in terms of safety† or â€Å"#1 Airline in the flights within Asian region†. The mission statement of the JAL Group is as follows: â€Å"Proud to be the largest domestic network in the industry, we bring peoples, their cultures and their hearts closer together, contributing to peace and prosperity in Japan and beyond. All this is predicated on a relentless commitment to flight safety. We strive to become a world-class air transportation group, one that is consistently chosen by our customers, and maximizes corporate value in pursuit of our fundamental policy of sharing the value we create with all our stakeholders. The JAL Group now is spreading new wings of trust, preparing for a renewed push forward† (Annual Report 2005, retrieved April 12, 2006). Overall, the mission statement of the Japan Airline Group can be assessed very positively. It reflects the company’s philosophy and its self-concept, clearly indicates what products and markets the company offers, how it sees its role in the society and what are the factors contributing to its success and growth.

The Drama Of The Love Triangle In Literature Essay - 1

The Drama Of The Love Triangle In Literature - Essay Example The door goes unanswered after they rang the doorbell for several times, but as they were about to leave, they heard footsteps from the inside of the house. The door opened and there stood Liz wearing her chequered black and white pajama and a cheeky smile, which was so unusual for her. After exchanging pleasantries, they entered the house, and this time Kelvin’s attempt to hold Linda’s hand was not rejected. They walked hand in hand up to the living room and from the look on Liz’s face, the gesture was not welcome. Kelvin having known Liz for a long time let off Linda’s hand. Liz rushed to the kitchen to fetch a drink for them and Kelvin could not help staring at the rich bosom that Liz displayed when she was rising from her seat to go to the kitchen. When he realized he was being watched, he tried to look the other way, but Linda had already noticed and she mumbled something that was not coherent. Liz returned with a bottle of grape juice, which they proceeded to take as they chatted over general things. When it was time to leave, Kelvin explained to Liz their reason for coming and signaled Linda to give Liz the story as she had narrated to him before they left college premises earlier in the day. Linda gave her side of the story as she had given it to Kelvin, although this time she seemed more emotional, which at one point moved Liz to tears. Kelvin, who was used to seeing women cry, started to get irritated when he saw the discussion was getting emotional, so he excused himself to the washroom. After leaving, the two women looked at each other with te ary eyes, and a sense of connection between them attracted them to each other; however, to Linda there was something about Liz that made her suspicious, but since her newfound friend Kelvin had told her that she is a God fearing person, she had no reason to worry.

The Automotive Industry in Mexico and Brazil Essay Example for Free

The Automotive Industry in Mexico and Brazil Essay The automotive industry in Mexico and Brazil is one of the most dynamic business in Latin America, with both countries are disputing the 8th place as the highest car producers in the world [a}. While the production of cars in Mexico is directed to foreign consumption, the Brazilian one is mainly directed to its internal and regional markets. Both countries offer several advantages, such as low labor cost and high qualified personnel, however there are many challenges that must be considered such as pending political reforms and high crime rate in Mexico, and high inflation rate and economic deceleration in Brazil. Whereas, Mexico is better located geographically, Brazil’s potential internal market makes it the best option to invest currently, as long as it has best regulatory conditions and may offer better tax incentives. Whereas a weak local currency may affect the assembly of cars industry in both countries, Brazil’s infrastructure spending is entering a frenzied period [b] to meet its commitments to host the Olympics (2014) and the World Cup (2016), which may contribute to make it a popular destination for Foreign Direct Investment.

Young Male Violence and the Communities that Nurture It Essay examples

Jerry sat nervously at his desk, staring at the clock while about twenty pairs of eyes momentarily glanced over or glared at him. The seconds were slipping by far too quickly as the teacher finished explaining the homework assignment for the next day, and Jerry could feel the sweat slipping down his back in just the same way. All day long he had heard second hand threats from the other kids at school that Tim Stern was going to pound him before the day was through, and Tim sent vicious looks his way to reaffirm the rumors. The bell rang and Jerry darted from his seat; he ran down the hallway to his locker where he grabbed his skateboard for the ride home. A couple of his friends ran into him, and together they began sprinting out of the school building. One of the teachers yelled after them, â€Å"Slow down boys! There’s no fire!† They hadn’t been fast enough, because Tim and his friends and a whole group of onlookers were already waiting in the alley just beyond the school parking lot. Jerry threw his things on the ground. Tim was furious because Jerry had verbally humiliated him the day before in a restaurant most of the kids at school hung out at; to make matters worse, Jerry had just started dating Tim’s ex-girlfriend. The crowd was excited because both of the boys were pretty well built; bets had been placed, and the cliched chant, â€Å"Fight! Fight! Fight!† spilled out before Jerry and Tim could even exchange words. Without hesitation, Tim threw the first punch and Jerry, stumbling backward, tripped and fell to the ground. The crowd of kids roared and Tim shook hands with some of his buddies. While no one was looking, Jerry sprung up and dealt a hard blow to the back of Tim’s head with the trucks of his skateboard. T... ...minance. If you will recall, in the beginning of this report I stated that a teacher was calling out to some young men, â€Å"There’s no fire!† However, in reality there is a fire, and this fire takes the form of the pressure on young males to be violent members of our species. Whether it is an urban community’s physical violence, a suburban community’s mental violence, or the sexual violence common to both, it is interesting to note that so much of it is strongly upheld and created by the working culture of men. Much of the violence has to do with the pressures on males to be providers: something we often think has disappeared. Ultimately, it is exactly these kinds of pressures, norms, and customs in combination with a general need for acceptance that amount to the stress on young men to make it to the top. This is what fuels the fire of young male violence.

An Analysis of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451

Burning Books Ray Bradbury’s novel, Fahrenheit 451 takes places in some sort of â€Å"perfect† world. In the novel people who â€Å"think† are considered outcasts and weird. Additionally, the population has almost completely removed books from their society. This can directly connect to modern American society in which, entertainment and material possessions seem to interest people more than books, and the small items in life remain unappreciated. Several people today do not enjoy reading. They have found an external source of entertainment in, television, radio, or music.Similar to the novel, today’s society has begun to abandon books. They don’t have much of a free will anymore and some may call it mind control. The society in the novel seems very similar to this because they never had a chance to express themselves or have unique personalities. Furthermore, various people do not appreciate the smaller items in life and look more interested in phy sical objects such as, money. Moreover, in Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse mentions to Montag how drivers may have not ever seen the grass or flowers, or even looked at nature.It seems like these two groups have completely removed â€Å"thinking† and â€Å"knowledge† from their lives in search of materials with â€Å"greater value. † These two societies have many similarities. Particularly, modern American society has begun placing books away and looking for other forms of entertainment. Today, individuals make it seem like money and material possessions are the most important in life. Likewise, those in Ray Bradbury’s novel appear to find more interest in Parlor walls and seashell radios instead of objects that allow more thought, such as books.

Legalization of Marijuana Essay - 1606 Words

Marijuana is a shredded mix of dry flowers, stems and the seeds of a plant called cannabis and people usually smoke it in the form of cigarettes for relaxation. Ever since marijuana hit mainstream America over 30 years ago, government prohibition of it has been the subject of an ongoing debate. Should marijuana be legalized? Proponents of marijuana argue that there are numerous medical benefits and that the drug is not more harmful than tobacco or alcohol. Therefore, prohibiting it intrudes on personal freedom. On the other hand, opponents argue that marijuana is too dangerous; its legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of kids and that marijuana use often progresses to the use of more dangerous drugs†¦show more content†¦It is unfair to treat marijuana users more harshly under the law than users of alcohol or tobacco. Prohibiting its use intrudes on personal freedom. Moreover, legal prohibition will not prevent users from consuming the dr ug. Neither does it stop traffickers from producing and selling it. The U.S Centers for Disease Control reports that every year in the United States, approximately 79,000 deaths are attributable to excessive alcohol use, making it the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation (Centers for Disease Control). For marijuana, the number of â€Å"marijuana-induced deaths† is zero. This clearly shows that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana. If no restrictions are placed on the consumption of alcohol, why should the sale and consumption of marijuana be prohibited? Since marijuana is not a lethal drug, not toxic to human beings and not as addictive as alcohol or tobacco and since marijuana overdoses are almost impossible, it should be legalized. Legalizing marijuana will reduce the use of alcohol and tobacco which are far more dangerous than marijuana since they have a major impact on morbidity and mortality in the US. 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