Man with phallus
Chaplin
COSTUMES
Costumes are perhaps the most simple way of depicting a character. Through a costume the audience can begin to identify the characters and learn more about them, where they have been and where they are going.
WEEK ONE
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Man with phallus
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Chaplin
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Aristophanes' Birds: The costumes in Greek Old comedy were adapted from everyday life. Although few references were made in plays, the chorus would have worn a more realistic costume. However, this was not always the case especially in the fantasy worlds of Aristophanes.The actual costume itself consisted of several pieces. The first of thee being some form of pads to alter the appearance of slaves, older men, and other comical figures. Tights were then worn over this to hold the pads and place. A leather phallus was attached next on male actors not in the chorus. This would be used to add sexual humor through the comedy. In order to emphasize these comic elements, the character's depicting tunic was shortened.
In Birds the first costume made not of is the Hoopae. We are told through stage direction that he is clearly a man with a beak and large crest. Makemedo and Goodhope are also to be falling down laughing. Goodhope says, "Gods! It must have taken all twelve Olympians to have done that to you!" It's quite obvious that the Hoopae is ridiculously dressed and is the target of their jokes and audience's laughter. Later we see this again with the entrance of Goodhope and Makemedo after the parabasis. Once again with humans clearly dressed as birds.
The audience is also shown the extravagance of the costumes at the same time. This we see in the entrance of the chorus who we know to all be dressed in a different costume. The costumes of the chorus were not the typical old comedy style, nor did they consist of feathers. They were just body stockings that were painted to resemble some bird.
The Count: Charlie Chaplin is one of the most recognizable figures in cinema. His classic clown-like appearance, hat, and suit are classic. Throughout all of his movies we are shown some variation of this. However, most variations are generally one of lower class.. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast is dressed in ordinary fashion to fit the characters they are playing.
In The Count Charlie is shown as a character that is definitely of lower status. We see this in the manor in which he is dressed at different points throughout the movie. At the tailor shop in the beginning we see him dressed in a tattered suit and a loose shirt that is less than neat. Once at the party, though, Charlie has obviously dressed up. However, he doesn't seem quite right in it and he doesn't fit in with the rest of the men. Charlie is outclassed by the women, who are also dressed in the finest of fashion for that time with furs, jewelry, and extravagant dresses. When the real count arrives he comes dressed in his finest of formal ware, hat, and monacle. It is very clear that Charlie doesn't belong and is an imposter.
WEEK TWO
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Menander
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Menander's Perikeiromene: Between old comedy and new comedy there is not much of a change in costume to speak of. There is an obvious differences, such as the Phallus which doesn't exist in new comedy. The costumes of Menander vary a lot from that of Aristophanes. Menander places little importance on the costume, with most of the actors in everyday attire. The costumes did contain some exaggeration when the part called for it with slaves and characters to be the butt of comedy.
In Rape of the Locks there is little reference to any costume what so ever. We do know that the simple community in which the play is set was of lower class. Often times a cloak was used to show higher status or depict soldiers. Polemon is shown to be in soldier attire through the cloak in which he is wearing and the sword that he is carrying. The slaves, however, can be assumed to have some sort of padding showing their comic elements and simplicity. The remainder of the emphasis on the characters, though, is left with the masks.
It Happened One Night: The costumes of It Happened One Night, like most movies, are very typical to the times and a reflection of status. This is very prevalent in this movie which occurs primarily in an upper class world. The very formal and respectable fashions of Ellen Andrews, Wesley, and Mr. Andrews represent their status and background well. However, Peter Warne who does dress respectable is easily seen as a more middle class figure when compared to these prominent figures. But, as Peter and Ellen's journey moves forth we see fashion start to fade. Part of this is a result of their adventures with the lower class that we see through the middle of the movie. The people on the bus and at the motels are not shown in good costume which really defines their class. At the end we see the extravagance of the costumes for the upper class come out at the wedding. All the finest formal ware for those times are put on display and for the final time the costumes remind us of the class distinction shown in this movie.
WEEK THREE
Plautus' Rudens: Costume in Roman comedy is not a lot different than Greek. The basic costume in Roman comedy also consisted of several pieces beginning with an undergarment. From there a long cloak called a pallium was added (pallia for females). Some parts, such as slaves, called for a smaller cloak. Under this cloak, padding could be added when needed. A Soldier would wear a hat and an animal skin jacket identified farmers and simple people. Sandals were worn also, this being standard footwear and colored wigs would establish a character's status and age. Some scholars believe that masks may have been worn, but it is definitely not for certain at the time of Plautus.
Rudens is an interesting play as far as costumes. Little reference is made, but we know that the slaves wore the shorter tunic and padding. Gripus would have definitely been more exaggerated to identify the comic elements found in the trunk scene. The girls, the pimp and his guest would not be dressed as they would for they have just been through quite a disaster. Beat up tunics would have helped portray the shipwreck. Daemones also would have be dressed in an animal skin jacket which tells us quite a bit about this simple man.
Whiskey Galore: The movie Whiskey Galore shows us a broad array of different costumes. The most common is that of the islanders. We see that they are a very simple island community. Their fashion is very plain, dark clothes, long sleeves which suggest a cooler climate. Many of the men, especially the fishermen are wearing some sort of fishermen's hat as well as wool jacket. It is very clear, though, that in comparison to Waggett they are not of the same status or culture.
Waggett, who is in command of the military is shown during the movie in military attire that would be typical to the 1940's. The neatness of his dress and his fine clothes show us his British arrogance. We see other officers such as Sergeant Odd in military dress as well. The dress says a good deal about the classes and acceptance in the community. The outsiders are all shown in dress that is not of that dark and plain style.
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