Stock characters

Definition

Stock characters are stereotypical figures that are easily recognizable and recur in various works of literature and drama. They serve specific roles and embody certain traits, allowing audiences to quickly understand their functions within the narrative. These characters often represent broader societal types or archetypes, contributing to humor, conflict, and social commentary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Middle and New Comedy, stock characters like the cunning slave or the foolish old man reflect societal issues, allowing playwrights like Menander to critique contemporary life.
2. Plautus utilized stock characters such as the clever servant and the greedy merchant to create comedic scenarios that resonated with Roman audiences.
3. Commedia dell'Arte is famous for its use of stock characters like Harlequin and Pantalone, each embodying specific traits that drove improvisational performances.
4. Stock characters played a crucial role in the Roman adaptation of Greek theatre by providing recognizable figures that audiences could easily relate to, maintaining continuity between cultures.
5. The concept of stock characters has influenced numerous theatrical traditions, shaping character development in modern storytelling across genres, including film and television.

Review Questions

• How do stock characters in Middle and New Comedy contribute to social critique, particularly in Menander's works?
  • In Middle and New Comedy, stock characters serve as vehicles for social critique by embodying societal norms and behaviors that playwrights like Menander wished to examine. For example, the presence of the shrewish wife or the deceitful servant highlights the complexities of relationships and moral dilemmas faced by individuals. By using these familiar character types, Menander was able to comment on issues such as class conflict, gender roles, and human folly while still entertaining his audience.
• Discuss how Plautus's use of stock characters shapes the comedic structure of his plays.
  • Plautus effectively employs stock characters to create recognizable frameworks that enhance the comedic structure of his plays. Characters such as the clever slave serve as catalysts for plot developments while highlighting themes of trickery and deception. The interactions between these archetypes generate humor through misunderstandings and conflicts that arise from their exaggerated traits. This reliance on familiar character types allows audiences to engage quickly with the narrative while also enabling Plautus to explore deeper societal issues through comedy.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of stock characters from Commedia dell'Arte on modern theatre and other storytelling mediums.
  • Stock characters from Commedia dell'Arte have significantly influenced modern theatre by establishing archetypes that resonate in contemporary narratives. Characters like Harlequin and Pantalone have shaped comedic tropes seen in films, television shows, and theatrical productions today. Their exaggerated traits allow for immediate audience recognition and engagement, creating a connection between past performance traditions and present storytelling. This legacy highlights how stock characters can still be relevant tools for exploring human behavior and societal norms in various artistic expressions.

Related terms

Archetype: A universal symbol or character type that recurs across different cultures and literature, often representing fundamental human experiences or traits.

Characterization: The process by which an author conveys a character's personality, motives, and nuances through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others.

Comedy: A genre of drama that aims to entertain and amuse the audience, often characterized by humorous situations, exaggerated characters, and a happy resolution.