Editing Zanni (section)

==Origin of the name==
The name "Zanni" (as well as "Zuan") is a variant of the name ''Gianni'' and was common in the Lombard-Venetian countryside which provided most of the servants to the wealthy nobles and merchants of [[Venice]]. In [[Italian language|Italian]] it is specifically a name of someone whose identity is not of any importance.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Commedia dell'arte : an actor's handbook|last1=John.|first1=Rudlin|date=1994-01-01|publisher=Routledge|pages=67|oclc=27976194}}</ref> It is one of the oldest characters in commedia dell'arte, but over the course of time became subdivided into a number of similar characters with more specific traits. These included [[Harlequin]] (Arlecchino), [[Pulcinella]], [[Mezzetino|Mezzettino]] and [[Harlequin#Variants|Truffaldino]], as well as [[Beltrame]] and [[Brighella]]. Harlequin, for example, was more representative of a [[jester]] than an ordinary servant and was frequently depicted as very acrobatic.<ref>Duchartre, Pierre Louis. ''The Italian Comedy: The Improvisation Scenarios Lives Attributes Portraits and Masks of the Illustrious Characters of the Commedia dell' Arte''. Canada: Dover Publications, 1966.</ref> Zanni was shortened to Zan when used to provide further identification of an individual. For example, [[Zan Ganassa]] was the stage name of Alberto Naseli, who was one of the first actors specializing in Zanni roles to perform outside of Italy.<ref>Hartnoll 1983, p. 313.</ref>

Overall, the Zanni in early commedia dell'arte is the name for the 'carter', which is the servant. The name Zanni became a "technical term to define all of the servants".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Commedia by Fava: The Commedia Dell' Arte, Step by Step - Part 1|url=https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/commedia-by-fava-the-commedia-dell-arte-step-by-step-part-1/cite?context=channel:theatre-in-video|last1=Fava|first1=Antonio|date=2006|website=Alexander Street}}</ref>

===Variations===
Some characters in ''commedia'' that are derived from Zanni are Harlequin, Brighella, [[Scapino]], [[Mescolino]] and Mezzettino, [[Scaramouche|Scaramuccia]] (aka [[Scaramouche]]), Pulcinella, [[Pedrolino]], [[Giangurgolo]], [[Tartaglia (commedia dell'arte)|Tartaglia]], [[Trappolino]], and [[Burattino|Burratino]].<ref>Nicoll M.A., Allardyce. ''Masks Mimes and Miracles: Studies In The Popular Theatre''. New York: Cooper Square Publishers, INC., 1963. 266. Print.</ref>