distinguishable from the traditional Zanni movement by the torso bending from side to side while the head stays vertical. The knees stay open and the elbows bend down with each movement of the leg. His character is usually from uptown Milano or Bergamo, and in the original Italian would often speak with the local accent. He could be very witty and fond of wordplay. He is also an accomplished singer, dancer and musician, and sometimes would play the guitar on stage. His name comes from an Italian word which can mean "bother" or "contention" in Italian; Florio's 1611 Italian-English Dictionary defines briga as meaning "a brable, a braule, a contention". Brighella in English would be therefore something like "Fighty" or "Brawly". The other Italian word attaccabrighe ("hellraiser") utilizes the same element. Famous Brighellas 17th Century: Domenico Boroncini 18th Century: Giuseppe Antonio Angeleri Tommaso Fortunati Pietro Gandini Carlo Campi Atanasio Zanoni Variants A list of variations of the character, according to Duchartre, are: Beltrame: from the 17th century, a "wilfully blind husband and rascal as crafty as Brighella." He was Milanese and spoke the local dialect. As part of his costume he apparently wore a distinctive large tunic. Scapin, or Scapino: A much more nervous and cowardly version of Brighella. Truccagnino: See Fenocchio. Mezzetino: A gentler version of Brighella, fond of the ladies even if they were not fond of him. Fenocchio: More prone to playing pranks than committing serious intrigues, he otherwise shared Brighella's fondness for malice. Flautino: A musical Brighella, often singing a cappella. The Comédie-Italienne actor Giovanni Gherardi, who performed this role, was able to perform the part of an entire orchestra with his voice alone. Sbrigani: Sometimes the exact opposite of Brighella, otherwise an identical character; like twins. Frequently appeared alongside Brighella onstage. Franca Trippa, Francatrippa or Francatrippe: created in the late 16th century, spoke a mixture of Bolognese and Tuscan dialects. An upper-class Brighella. Could be capable of gymnastic or other physical feats. Turlupin or Tirelupin: A French Brighella created by Henri Legrand. The name means, according to Duchartre, "unlucky". However, the Oxford English Dictionary mentions an etymology relating to a cult that modelled themselves on the Cynics and lived off of lupins that they gathered (tiraient). The character was reputedly fond of vulgar wordplay. Gandolin: A French Brighella, very fond of wordplay and puns. Sometimes wears a fur-lined plumed hat. Fritellino or Fristelin: see Francatrippa.