Harlequin

Harlequin (Arlecchino in Italian) is the most popular of the zanni or comic servant characters from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte.

Although illustrations of Arlecchino have only been dated as far back as 1572, the character had existed before then. The origins of the name are uncertain: some say it comes from Dante's Inferno, XXI, XXII and XXIII; one of the devils is called Alichino. Others say it could come from Harlenkoenig, a Scandinavian hero. Another hypothesis states that the name is derived from Harlay, an English gentleman of the court of Henri III, who had protected an Italian actor. Still another unproveable theory states that it came from Old High German Karalchin (little man), similar to the name Mannekin or Manneken.

Popular theories suggest that he may have emerged from France, Africa, or Italy. The notion that the Harlequin motif grew out of France is evidenced by Hellequin, a stock character in French passion plays. Hellequin, a black-faced emissary of the devil, is said to have roamed the countryside with a group of demons chasing the damned souls of evil people to Hell. The physical appearance of Hellequin offers an explanation for the traditional colours of Harlequin's mask (red and black).

A third potential origin for the Harlequin is that he simply evolved from a Zanni archetype who, although a slow thinker, was acrobatic and nimble. Interpreted thus, Harlequin's distinctive motley costume may be a stylized variant of Zanni's plain white garb, designed to reflect the ad-hoc patching necessary to prevent the garment's degradation.

The primary aspect of Arlecchino was his physical agility. While generally depicted as stupid and gluttonous, he was very nimble and agile, and performed the sort of acrobatics the audience expected to see. The character would never perform a simple action when the addition of a cartwheel or backflip would spice up the movement.

Within these restrictions the character was tremendously elastic. Various troupes and actors would alter his behavior to suit style, personal preferences, or even the particular scenario being performed. One of the most famous actors was Visentini (17th century) and Tristano Martinelli.

Dramatic function
He is typically cast as the servant of an innamorato or vecchio much to the detriment of his master's plans. Arlecchino often had a love interest in the person of Columbina, and his lust for her was only superseded by his desire for food or fear of his master.

Despite Arlecchino's agility of body, his mind does not entertain the same capacities. Arlecchino is a slow thinker, with some versions portraying him as able to entertain only one thought at a time - and he is often capable of confusing that. This leads to a range of situations, including Lazzi where Arlecchino is tricked into thinking he himself is dead, when other more wily characters of the Commedia dell'Arte point out a range of unlikely symptoms. Pierre Louis Duchartre says that Arlecchino desperately tries to hide his lack of brains, to the point of seeming malicious in so doing; as in one scenario where Arlecchino is diguised as a doctor and prescribes ridiculous "remedies" that would certainly prove fatal if undergone.

In Goldoni and in Gozzi, Arlecchino is sometimes called Truffaldino. While Il Capitano is trying to win the heart of a lady, Arlecchino likes to joke around and embarrass the captain, and to try to win the lady for himself.

References in modern culture and other media
In today's culture, harlequins are seen quite often, especially in the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations. Harlequins frequently appear in pop culture, such as Harley Quinn from the Batman series and Harle from Square Enix's game Chrono Cross.

Based on the ticket seller in Lisa Snellings-Clark's Crowded After Hours the main character of "Harlequin Valentine", a short story by Neil Gaiman invokes the spirit of Harlequin as he pursues his Columbina.

Harlequin type ichthyosis, a congenital skin condition, was named after the characteristic costume of this character.

Agatha Christie wrote a number of short stories about The Mysterious Mr. Quin, an almost-supernatural figure who helps the elderly Mr. Satterthwaite solve mysteries.

Dorothy L. Sayers has Lord Peter Wimsey investigate a murder, while masquerading as a harlequin in the book, Murder Must Advertise.

Philip Sparke is a composer who wrote "Harlequin" for concert band, a piece which takes its inspiration from the happy and sad faces from the Italian Comedia Dell'Arte. It is a work in two movements; a slow ballad followed by a frenetic faster movement. The piece was dedicated to and had a solo for David Childs. David and Steven Mead are both euphonium virtuoso willingly head by a broad audience.

In the movie Moulin Rouge! there is a harlequin can can dancer.