Commedia dell'arte lasted from about the 14th to the 18th century in Italy. The comedies, which were the start of professional acting in Europe, were marked by distinctive masks that developed for stock roles such as the doctor, the young man of adventure and the jester.
The plays typically featured romantic intrigues, financial shenanigans or some other form of trickery. Classic masks worn by actors included the Doctor, who might be an old philosopher, astrologer, or lawyer; Pantalone, another old man who was typically the butt of jokes; the Captain, a boastful young man; and Zanni, the jester who was often a servant.
In addition to masks, the classic characters typically had easily recognizable stock gestures, expressions, and costumes which always generated laughs. There were other actors in the plays who did not wear masks. These included the male and female lovers and the maidservant.