Stock Characters

Stock Characters

Young Woman at her Toilet by Bellini, 1515

Stock Characters evolved from the Commedia Dell'Arte in Italy during the 1500s. Certain attitudes were found in characters used by all acting troupes. They represented the different types of people found in Italy at that time. These characters were: The Captain, The Parasite, The Scholar, The Old Man, The Young Lovers, The Naive Servant and The Stubborn Servant. They were characters the audiences could relate to. They represented different points of view and made the performances enjoyable for everyone. This Renaissance painting from 1515, by Bellini, is entitled "Young Woman at her Toilet". [AL] {EB}