Comedy History: The Zanni
The Zanni is a prominent character type from Commedia dell'arte. The Zanni was at first very cunning and known as a trickster (later split into two different groups, more on this later), who also comes from the country side. The word Zanni means Rustic fool and is a countryside derivative of the name Gianni, and the English word “zany” comes from the Zanni. The Zanni is one of the first versions of clowns and were performing as early as the 14th century.
While the Zanni started as a servant who’s name really didn’t matter, in itallian the name Zanni is used specifically as a name of someone whose identity is not of any importance, the character later subdivided into several other characters with other specific traits including Arlecchino (The classic Harlequin), Pulcinella (think Homer Simpson), Mezzettino (His name means "Half-Measure of liquor"), Columbina and Scaramouchia or Scaramouche (The musical clown Freddie Mercury was singing about in Bohemian Rhapsody).
The Zanni’s costume first consisted of white baggy clothing. This was like the dress of peasants and farmworkers of the time. A specific type of Zanni, Brighella, wore accents of green to indicate his tricky and devious nature. Arlecchino, however, was known for his irregular colored patches that eventually became the essence of the entire outfit. The Zanni are also known to sport a peaked hat and a wooden sword or Slapstick (two flat sticks tied together that would clap loudly when smacked against someone, and the namesake of the slapstick style of comedy). The Zanni at first wore a full faced carnival mask, but because of the need for dialogue between Pantalone (the rich master) and the Zanni, the bottom of the mask was hinged and eventually cut away altogether.
The Zanni stands with a lowered center of gravity, with an arched back, bent knees, and and splayed feet. In commedia, Zanni has a variety of six different types of walks. These walks include The Little Zanni (small steps with high knees and pointed feet, bouncing of the head in rhythmic fashion), The Big Zanni (chest out, butt up long steps and low to the ground, The classic “sneaking around” walk), Zanni Running (swift movements, and leg kicks), Zanni Jubilant (skipping on the toes, center of gravity moving side to side, hands on belt), Vain Zanni (kind of like a roster showing off, used when the Zanni has a new button or a feather in his cap), and Soldier Zanni (The classic clown march).
Many of the Characteristics of the Zanni are seen in TV and films today. The Zanni were the first to see anything as food when hungry, they were the gluttons, ignorant, and have no self-awareness. Later on in Commedia the Zanni separated into two distinct types, known as first and second Zanni. The first Zanni, or il furbo (the clever), can trick anybody into anything, known to be the cheater, they were sharp and cynical. The second Zanni, or lo stupido (do I need to translate?), is foolish, clumsy, dull and for some reason can never tell his right from his left. The second Zanni never progresses the plot but rather provides a steady amount of comic relief throughout the scene. These two types of Zanni are the archetype of every comedy double act ever, they are the proto straight man/funny man combo.
The Zanni does acts that are known as lazzi, or lazzo if singular. These gags are still used in today’s comedy and are very popular in cartoons. “Lazzi The Cat” was a very popular scene, it is also the bit that got Will Farrell his spot on SNL. They loved Special liquid gags, where they end up balancing and spilling liquid all over, Commedia did this in a scene where the Zanni is told that burying his urine would give him a son. They are also the ones that created the “one for you, two for me” act. The Zanni sees the audience and treats them collectively and addresses them directly, modern clowns do this today in between circus acts.
