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STATUS
Il Dottore is high in the commedia social hierarchy along with the other old men like Il Capitano and Pantalone. Il Dottore is a doctor, although it is questionable whether he has ever attended school. Nevertheless, Il Dottore maintains his high position in society because he can make it seem as though he knows what he is talking about. He blathers in fake Latin, on and on. The lower class characers are awed by his "knowledge" and so he maintains his status. Like all the old men, however, he is always shown up as a quack at the end of the play.
COSTUME
Il Dottore wears a long jacket with a black coat that goes all the way down to his ankles. Black shoes accessorize his feet and a skull cap is worn on his head. Il Dottore is a very fat man, so if the actor is not himself large, a pillow should be strapped about the stomach.
MASK
The mask covers just the eyes and the nose leaving the cheeks exposed. Because The Doctor is very fat and he enjoys drinking, the nose is bulbous and the forehead high. The actor's cheeks are usually reddened to show the affects of the liquor.
MOVEMENT
Il Dottore stands with his great weight on the back of his heels and his stomach slopped forward, hands gesturing with every word. Il Dottore always walks when he talks. Instead of in a straight line, me meanders in figure eights using tiny steps. His weight makes it difficult for him to move fast.
GESTURES
Il Dottore wants all the space on the stage for himself and he takes up room with his gut and his words. Because he is from the city of Bologna, he loves to eat. His prominent stomach is the focus of attention. He makes crude sexual jokes and is fond of pornography. Il Dottore's speech is the key to his character. He has a lisp and never stops talking. He believes he is an expert on anything and everything. Not knowing what he is talking about, he nonetheless sprinkles in very large words (most times fake) to sound convincing.
PLOT FUNCTION
Il Dottore gives the other actors a break by taking up space and time to talk. He is usually onstage for a long time, having to be removed either physically (while still talking) or after having been convinced that he should go in order to free up the stage.
