Bandycandygirl (talk) 03:36, 10 December 2016 (UTC)</ref>
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Role in Scenarios
editTypically la Ruffiana is a former prostitute. While she is long retired, she still knows everything there is to know about the business. Because of this sometimes she is a counsel to some of the younger characters when it comes to romance. As a retired older character, she can fill the role of other shady characters in scenarios, such as a peasant, a gossip, or a woman who pursues younger men. Another common role for la Ruffiana is a mysterious magical woman or gypsy. Most of the other characters in Commedia are not trusting or scared of sorceresses and gypsies because they are typically mischievous thieves. La Ruffiana is known to have spells, potions, and a vast amount of knowledge. She is also found to use her powers to see the future and to help the younger characters with their love life. While she is good at heart, she is still known to be a thief and should not be messed with. [1]
Etymology
editLa Ruffiana gets her name from the word "Ruffian". Ruffian (1530s) is "a boisterous, brutal fellow, one ready to commit any crime". Its also tied to the French "rufian" and Italian "ruffiano", which means "a pander, pimp". [2]
Costume
editLa Ruffiana has been seen in various clothing options and styles depending on the direction that the character is being taken. Traditionally, she is seen in Neapolitan peasant clothing. She is also often seen in a cloak and a mask, which makes her one of the only woman Commedia dell'Arte characters to played in a mask. [3] [4]
- ^ Duchartre, Pierre-Louis. "La Ruffiana, La Guaiassa, The Go-Betweeen, The Gossip." The Italian Comedy: The Improvisation, Scenarios, Lives, Attributes, Portraits, and Masks of the Illustrious Characters of the Commedia Dell'arte. Trans. Randolph T. Weaver. New York: Dover Publications, 1966. 285. Print.
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "Online Etymology Dictionary." Online Etymology Dictionary. N.p., 20. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
- ^ Rudlin, John. "La Ruffiana." Commedia Dell'arte: An Actor's Handbook. London: Routledge, 1994. 158. Print.
- ^ Grantham, Barry. "La Ruffiana." Playing Commedia: A Training Guide to Commedia Techniques. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2000. 237-38. Print.