Harlequin

har'le-kin or kwin, the leading character in a pantomime or other comic performance. The word is of doubtful origin, but is probably from the old French Hellequin, the name of a demon figuring in certain medieval legends. Harlequin or Arlecchino was a popular figure in improvised Italian comedy during the fifteenth century. He seems to have united extravagant buffoonery with great bodily agility, somewhat after the manner of the modern clown. He wore a coat of many gay colors, and appeared with shaven head, masked face, and bare feet. He carried a sword of lath. With characteristic variations, Harlequin appeared on the French stage. The German Hanswurst and the Dutch Pickelhering were influenced by this character from the Italian stage. By the middle of the sixteenth century the character had lost some of its coarser characteristics. Later it was confined to the ballet, and finally disappeared from the regular stage. Harlequin had, however, become popular in the English Christmas pantomime. This species of entertainment was often called a harlequinade and consisted of two parts, an introduction and the dumb show or pantomime. In this, four characters were the important performers,--Harlequin and Columbine, who are lovers, Clown and Pantaloon. Clown is a comic villain who attempts the capture of Columbine, aided by Pantaloon, a silly old man,--the butt of all the other performers. Columbine is a well trained dancer, whose beauty of face and costume are special features of the play. Harlequin, however, is the most important character. He is dressed in a tight costume of bright colors covered with spangles, and carries a magic wand with which he foils all the knavish tricks of the Clown, to whom he is supposed to be invisible. Fairies appear in the pantomime and sometimes other characters. All ends merrily. The harlequinade was introduced to the British stage in 1702 by a Shrewsbury dancing master.