harlequin

Harlequin (här`ləkwĭn, –kĭn): see commedia dell'arte.

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Harlequin

Principal stock character of the Italian commedia dell'arte. In the 16th century he was a wily, unscrupulous comic servant, but by the early 17th century he was a faithful valet involved in amorous exploits. His costume of peasant clothes covered with coloured patches developed into a tight-fitting costume decorated with bright triangles and diamond shapes. He carried a batte, or slapstick, and wore a black half-mask. In mid-18th-century England Harlequin was portrayed by John Rich in dance pantomimes (see mime and pantomime). He was also the principal character of the slapstick form known as a harlequinade in England and elsewhere.

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harlequin

1. Theatre a stock comic character originating in the commedia dell'arte; the foppish lover of Columbine in the English harlequinade. He is usually represented in diamond-patterned multicoloured tights, wearing a black mask

2. (of certain animals) having a white coat with irregular patches of black or other dark colour

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harlequin

comic character in commedia dell’arte; dressed in multicolored tights in a diamond-shaped pattern. [Ital. Drama: NCE, 1194]

See : Clowns