Pantalone

Pantalone (Italian for "trousers") is a miserly, libidinous, aged character from the Commedia dell'arte. Pantalone's lust for gold is only occasionally exceeded by his lust for young women that he cannot satisfy.

He traditionally wears a large codpiece to advertise his virility which everyone around him knows to be long gone.

He is often cast as the parent of one of the innamorata (see Innamorati) and has some busines or personal relationship with Dottore (see Il Dottore) or Capitano (see Il Capitano). Pantalone's plans to profit at the expense of his family and friends are guaranteed to be thwarted by his servant (see Zanni).