The Lovers

Costume  Mask Movement

•     The lovers are of high status in their town.  They are the sons and daughters of characters who are also high on the social ladder; very often the female lover is Pantalone's daughter (when she is not his daughter, the male lover is his son, and Pantalone lusts after her).  The lovers' status is slightly lowered because of their infatuation.


   It must be noted that the lovers are not only infatuated with each other, they are VERY infatuated with themselves.  More often than not, they are only with each other because the other person makes them look better.  They bicker often, making a big dramatic show out of their crying and trying to top each others' grief, but they immediately make up when they hear a compliment about their appearance.  They speak in grand, pretentious, flowery language: "My love for you makes all the diamonds on the earth look like grains of sand, and your beauty makes them all dull."

    The lovers usually have beautiful, flowery, romantic  names.  Some suggestions are: FEMALE-Allessandra, Callista, Candida, Donatella, Fabiana, Isabella, Lavinia, Maddelena, Ottavia, Sigismonda, Valentina;  MALE- Agostino, Ambrosio, Benedetto, Celestino, Fabian, Giancarlo, Innocenzio, Ottaviano, Silvestro, Valentino.  Notice that some of the names (when translated) have to do with beauty and innocence.  Notice, too, that there are male forms of many of the female names and vice versa.  The actors playing these characters should have fun with an Italian name book choosing the most flowery, romantic names they can.

•     The lovers are costumed in the latest Italian fashions (since Italy is where Commedia originated).  You might want to visit The Costumer's Manifesto page of Renaissance clothing for ideas.  Since they are rich, they wear obviously expensive clothes and jewelry, made of lush fabrics.  Sometimes, the male lover will dress as a soldier.  The women sometimes change outfits several times during a show, to show off the newest clothing styles.

    Both of the lovers usually hold some kind of prop in their hand, most likely a letter to swoon over, or a handkerchief.  There is always a mirror somewhere on their body, be it in a purse or pocket, or hanging as a necklace around her throat.  This is useful for primping, or for looking over your shoulder at the other character, with whom you are having a lover's spat.

•     The lovers do not wear masks.  Rather, they wear makeup.  Follow this link to learn how to do the lovers' makeup.

•     If you have ever heard the term "airhead," keep it in mind when thinking about the lovers' movement.  Their feet are firmly on the ground, in a position like the balletic fourth or fifth, but their head and torso could probably float away at any minute.  Their arms are held out to their sides and curved.  Their whole manner is very graceful and balletic, as they do not walk so much as glide.  They never touch; to do so would cause them both to faint or run away.  It is titillating for them to get very close without touching.  They are always primping, fixing their hair, clothes, and makeup.