Zanni

"Zanni" is an abbreviation of "Giavonnni" and often serves as a generic name for an individual. It can reference any unidentified individuals or for the specific character Zanni (from Commedia Dell'Arte, An Actor's Handbook by John Rudlin, plage 67). For our sake, I will only be referencing the Character Zanni. As mentioned in my previous post, Zanni is meant to be the stupidest of all characters-- he is by far the character with the lowest status.
His character was inspired by poor immigrants who came to Venice looking for work, since their hometowns had nothing to offer them. They did not speak the language, and so their character is simplified into stupidity to easily transfer his setbacks into a simpler concept. No matter what happens or how things are presented, Zanni understands absolutely nothing. It is said that Zanni can only do 5 things: Sleep, shit, piss, fuck, and eat. In this way, you can see that this character is meant to be primal and simplified.
The most recognizable aspect of a Zanni mask is a long, often drooping nose. In my own mask I'm hoping to create an extremely blank, almost innocent stare with the eye-holes. Originally, his outfit was made from flour sacks, so he is often dressed in a very white, baggy outfit with many holes.
I would like my modern day version of Zanni to be someone who looks homeless but make it clear that he has an occupation. I know that I will have to assign him to a job that is very simple, such as at a fast food joint, truck driver, or garbage man.