{{Short description|Commedia dell'arte character}} {{About|the character of the ''commedia dell'arte''|the comedy writer who created the character, and who used the stage name "Beltrame"|Niccolò Barbieri}} {{Other uses|Beltrame (disambiguation)}}
thumb|right|220px|Beltrame '''Beltrame''' (in Milanese: ''baltramm'') is a traditional character of the ''commedia dell'arte'' associated to the city of Milan, and dating back to the 16th–17th century or earlier.<ref name="beltramedimilano">''[http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=6780 Beltrame di Milano]''</ref> It is also often referenced by the full name '''Beltrame di Milano'''<ref name="beltramedimilano"/> and also as '''Beltrame di Gaggiano''' (from the ''borgo'' – now a ''comune'' – of Gaggiano, in the surroundings of Milan) or '''Beltrame de la Gippa''' (where the "gippa" is the large blouse, or tunic, worn by the character).<ref name="florigium">''[http://goldhands.livejournal.com/21119.html The Commedia dell'arte] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320181325/http://goldhands.livejournal.com/21119.html |date=2012-03-20 }}''</ref>
The creation of Beltrame's character is sometimes credited to Niccolò Barbieri. In any case, Barbieri largely contributed to the popularity of the character with plays such as ''L'inavvertito''.<ref name="moliere">''[http://www.theatrehistory.com/french/moliere007.html The Blunderer]''</ref> Barbieri was an actor as well as a comedian, and assumed the role and stage name of Beltrame himself.<ref>See P. L. Duchartre, ''The Italian Comedy'', p. 32</ref> His character is usually a crafty, astute villager and husband<ref name="florigium"/> and blunderer, always trying to appear of higher rank than he really is;.<ref>''[http://www.antique-meissen.com/archives.asp?newsID=10 Meissen and the Commedia dell'arte] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707145757/http://www.antique-meissen.com/archives.asp?newsID=10 |date=7 July 2011 }}''</ref> He took on several different roles, including that of the merchant and of Colombina's father trying to force his daughter into a marriage of convenience (a part he shares with Tabarino).<ref name="atelier">''[http://www.atelierdesarts.com/maschere/beltrame.htm Beltrame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201152142/http://www.atelierdesarts.com/maschere/beltrame.htm |date=2018-02-01 }}''</ref> He often reaches his goals in virtue of his lack of scruples, astute rhetoric, and mock good manners.<ref name="atelier"/> His costume, resembling that of a 16th-century servant, included a large tunic, a purse, and a dagger.<ref>See P. L. Duchartre, ''The Italian Comedy'', p. 154</ref>
Beltrame has long been the main representative of Milan in the ''commedia'', although this role was later taken on by Meneghino. It is also often described as a variation of character Brighella (associated with the city of Bergamo, and sometimes also with Milan),<ref>''[http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/brighella.html Brighella]''</ref> or even as Brighella's brother.<ref>See P. L. Duchartre, ''The Italian Comedy'', p. 39</ref>
Beltrame has inspired Molière's character Mascarille, from the comedy ''L'Étourdi ou Les Contretemps'' (''The Blunderer'', 1655).<ref name="moliere"/>
==Footnotes== {{Reflist}}
Category:Theatre characters introduced in the 16th century Category:Commedia dell'arte characters Category:Culture in Milan Category:Fictional Italian people
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