March is coming and Carnival is just days away. Let’s find out more about the history of the masks of the Commedia dell’arte beginning from Balanzone, known as Il Dottore.
Il Dottore is the latest mask, it comes into view at the end of the XVI Century. It comes from Bologna and the name derives from the dialectal term balanza, which means scale, the symbol of the justice.
The name has an ironic value: he is called doctor, but the truth is that the character is just a caricature of the intellectual. The mask belongs with the Vecchi (“old men”) of the Commedia dell’arte, it represents the bourgeois caste of the know-it-all professors and in fact it was born in Bologna, the Italian city that hosts the most ancient university of Europe. In fact the costume follows the typical clothes of the university professor: in addition to the common jacket and coat, he wears a black robe, white cuffs and collar and a possible big hat. The mask itself is quite curious and contained compared to others: it is black with red traits, it covers only the eyebrows and the nose and it ends with two big moustaches. The character has an impressive appearance, a bouncy belly and red and full cheeks.
The character of Il Dottore is created in order to mock the fake intellectuals of that time. He claims to know every areas of the human science, but actually his knowledge is only theorical and all façade. Presumptuous and pedantic, he bestows useless suggestions and every appearance is always accompanied by infinite ramblings and pompous speeches without any sense. This is because like the Zanni, the servants, Il Dottore is always hungry, but he knows that he can’t count on his physical strength, so he uses his only weapon: the dialectic. Il Dottore talks and talks, mixing mangled words and intellectual quotations in broken Latin.
During the Carnival it is possible to meet a mask of Il Dottore in piazza San Marco. Enjoy the festivity and come to Falciani Restaurant for a good meal.
Do not forget to book a table calling the number: +39 041 5224872
We’re open from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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