One of the first character to arise in the commedia world, Pantalone is the second to miserliness only to the less common character of Magnifico. Hence within the major characters, Pantalone is the oldest of the old, the frailest of the frail and the most miserable of the miserable. All characters are motivated by very basic needs. Pantalone’s motivations are the acquisition of money and the acquisition of sex. Unless Pantalone is thinking of those two things he is constantly complaining.

            Pantalone’s stance is almost unmistakable. Pantalone, being and old man, is naturally hunched over with his head crooked up in order to constantly look around evaluating his workers and money status. Pantalone is a merchant and there for is able to afford expensive slippers which he keeps on his feet by shuffling his feet forward when he walks. This makes him a very slow walker. His hands, when they are not being used, are always kept down, hung over his two prize possessions (his purse and his genitals) to protect them. If he is talking, he is constantly using his hands to accentuate his words with precise gestures. Pantalone talks with a very high-pitched voice with a turkeyish gobble to it. When Pantalone is excited over something, he is capable of jerky rotations around one foot, and even a possible jump. It is important not to make this look fluid or easy at all.

            Pantalone’s mask is a very wrinkly, withered face covered with bushy white hair as a mustache and at the eyebrows. A hooked nose should also give the impression of a short beak. Most of the commedia masks will be cut off at the mouth to allow the actor to speak and not have his words stifled by the mask.

            Pantalone is usually the father of a female lover and possibly a male one if need be. Usually his daughter is Isabella who is served by Colombina. This gives Pantalone the sexual motivation needed to add life to the character. Another important thing about Pantalone, he is utterly impotent, making his sexual fetishes funnier still. It is important that Pantalone show no mercy to his workers and no kindness at all unless he is blackmailed.