The Atellanae or Atellan gables were interludes in the Roman theatre introduced from Atella in Campania. They were performed not by the regular actors, but by freeborn young Romans. The characters of Macchus and Bucco are thought to be the foundations of the modern Punch and Clown. Research Atellanae
A clown is the buffoon or practical jester in pantomime and circus performances. On the old English stage the clown was the privileged laughter-provoker, who, without taking any part in the dramatic development of the piece represented, carried on his improvised jokes and tricks with the actors, often indeed addressing himself directly to tho audience instead of confining himself to what was going on on the stage. In Shakespeare's dramas, a distinct part is assigned to the clown, who no longer appears as an extempore jester, although the part he plays is to a certain extent in keeping with his traditional functions. He is now confined to the pantomime and the circus, in the former of which he plays a part allied to that of the French Pierrot. Research Clown
Hanswurst is the name of a standing comic character on the older German stage, corresponding in its grotesque traits and mirth-making qualities to the English clown or Italian harlequin. The name is equivalent to the Jack Pudding of England. Research Hanswurst
Harlequin is a character of the Italian comedy introduced on the stage of other countries. On the Italian stage he is a comic character, full of drolleries, tricks, and knaveries, and somewhat resembles the English clown. The traditional harlequin of British pantomimes is quite different. He is supposed to be the lover of the columbine, and possesses a wonderworking wand, with which he protects his mistress against the clown and pantaloon, who pursue and endeavour to capture her, until the pursuit is brought to a termination by a good fairy. The harlequin wears a tight dress of bright colours, and glittering with spangles. Research Harlequin
Punchinello is an older form of the name 'Punch' in the Punch and Judy show. Punchinello as a character appears in the Italian 'Comedia dell'Arte' about the beginning of the 17th century, and originated in the neighbourhood of Naples. Traditionally represented with a black mask and a hooked nose, Punchinello is a boastful clown, the hero of ridiculous and rascally exploits, and a character not devoid of wits. The character of Punchinello was transferred to the puppet show, and the French adapted the character as a dwarfish, hunch-back who was the mouth-piece of much raillery and satire. The English Punch character resembles the French puppet version of Punchinello. Research Punchinello
The clown fish (Amphiprion percula) is a marine damselfish which lives in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean in close proximity with anemones. The clown fish is orange-brown in colour with black-bordered white stripes. Research Clown Fish More pictures of Clown Fish
A buffoon is a merry-andrew, a clown, a jester. The term comes from the Italian buffone, from buffare, to jest, to sport. Buffo, in Italian, is the name given to a comic actor; a burlesque play is called a commedia buffa, and a comic operaoperabuffa. The Italians, however, distinguish the buffo cantante, which requires good singing, from the buffo comico, in which there is more acting. Research Buffoon
Abbreviations
Research Atellanae
