Isabella commedia dell'arte personality
Isabella commedia dell'arte movement.
Name of character (and its origins): Isabella. This character is immediately associated with Isabella Andreini (1562-1604). She was admired through France and Italy by all classes.
Why do they use masks in commedia dell’arte?
She was a very well educated poet and a songwriter too.
Status (class of character): Prima donna, innamorata (lover). Daughter of Pantalone. Flirtatious and stubborn, men often fall in love with her.
Physicality:
Stance: she is rarely standing in both feet: normally making ballet positions.
Chest full of breath.
Animal characteristics: pink flaming, love bird.
Walk: swishing and swinging around, wobbling.
Gestures: often holding flowers or handkerchiefs.
Other: exaggerated movements of the hands.
Voice (vocal characteristics): refined and unpretentious.
Costume: uses a long dress, often holding a handkerchief, a fan or a book (see attached images).
Mask: no physical mask but often uses a lot of makeup.
Props: handkerchief, fan or book.
Relationships (to other