[skar-uh-mouch, -moosh] 
| 1. | a stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened. |
| 2. | (lowercase ) a rascal or scamp. |
| Scar·a·mouch also Scar·a·mouche (skār'ə-mōōsh', -mōōch', -mouch') n. A stock character in commedia dell'arte and pantomime, depicted as a boastful coward or buffoon. [French Scaramouche, from Italian Scaramuccia, from scaramuccia, skirmish; see sker-1 in Indo-European roots.] |
Scaramouche
stock character of the Italian theatrical form known as the commedia dell'arte; an unscrupulous and unreliable servant. His affinity for intrigue often landed him in difficult situations, yet he always managed to extricate himself, usually leaving an innocent bystander as his victim. Scaramouche was originally a variation of the commedia character Capitano, a braggart soldier. The role was closely associated with the Italian actor Tiberio Fiorillo (1608-94), who played without a mask. He transformed the military role to that of a comic servant, usually an indigent gentleman's valet. His costume was black breeches, jacket, cloak, and beret.
Learn more about Scaramouche with a free trial on Britannica.com.