Scapino

Scapino or Scapin is a Zanni character from the commedia dell'arte.

Later versions show his costume with green (or sometimes turquoise) and white stripes, similar to Mezzetino's red and white, but Callot shows Scapino in an outfit similar to the early Brighella's, white with a tabaro and a sword on his belt, and topped with a torn hat adorned with feathers.

Scapino tends to make a confusion of anything he undertakes and metaphorically "flees" from one thought, activity or love interest to another, as his name implies, although he usually will return to it—eventually.

In Molière's play Les Fourberies de Scapin, Zerbinette mentions what "a clever servant [Léandre] has.

He was originally a masked character, although later versions usually have the actor simply powder his face.

He is traditionally shown with a hooked nose and a pointed beard.

Like Brighella, Scapino is a Jack of all trades and depends on the needs of the scenario for his occupation.

A 1974 play of the same name, adapted by Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop from Les Fourberies de Scapin by Molière, opened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York in 1974.

Heaven has bestowed on me a fair enough share of genius for the making up of all those neat strokes of mother wit, for all those ingenious gallantries to which the ignorant and vulgar give the name of impostures; and I can boast, without vanity, that there have been very few men more skilful than I in expedients and intrigues, and who have acquired a greater reputation in the noble profession.

But, to tell the truth, merit is too ill rewarded nowadays, and I have given up everything of the kind since the trouble I had through a certain affair that happened to me.

She used me very badly; and I felt so enraged against the ingratitude of our age that I determined never to do anything for anybody.

___ Scapin pretends to be mortally wounded and begs forgiveness for his wrongdoings.