The Old Miser
The hook nosed mask of Pantalone is the most recognizable mask to modern audiences. The characters, his miserliness has inspired have changed little from his original stereotype, even after centuries. He is a real Scrooge, or better yet Scrooge is a real Pantalone.
To name a few of the old man's traditional relationships: he can be a father to one of the lovers, an employer to the servants, and rival, or friend to the doctor. The fact that he strongly loves money for what it is, ends up interfering with these relationships and causes him to... slow down... the plot. He is mostly an obstacle to solving problems that occur between characters. Unlike the doctor, he makes decisions and actions, these deeds are usually of a selfish nature, however loved ones can persuade him and other masks may fool him. Pantalone, no matter how hard he tries to keep his money from getting pulled through his fingers, can be bribed by a simple complement that enlarges his ego. He's a high status character and he loves to know it while being told how young he looks.
He is dressed in red pyjamas, yellow slippers and a long black robe. On his belt is his sac that contains some of his gold and riches, that he keeps at his front close to his bag of family jewels. His stature is short and bent over due to his antiquity, funny enough playing this shape can be hard on the knees for some actors. He walks by shuffling at a comedic pace, and when startled will turtle over on his back, needing assistance to return upright.
He is easy to anger and so playful masks may make him the butt of a joke. He still represents that boss that everyone has had to put up with, placing him in front of audience gives us the chance to ridicule, laugh, and release those hostilities we have bottled up.
