Vignettes

Il Dottore Balanzone is a character from the commedia dell'arte, meddlesome and tiresome, always angry and giving his opinion on everything, lecturing and speaking with certainty. It is said that he loves the sound of his own voice. Claudio Naranjo describes him this way in El Eneagrama de la Sociedad:

In the Italian masks, Doctor Balanzone is dressed all in black—something typical of doctors in the 14th century—with a large white collar, white pleated cuffs, and a large black hat on his head. He is a sixty-year-old man with a professorial air and Bolognese origin, referring to the ancient university; a caricature, ultimately, of those who constantly flaunt their knowledge. His name refers to the balance—symbol of justice—since he prides himself on being a famous representative of the law. He is always about to climb onto his lectern to lecture others. Even to comment on the most insignificant event, he resorts to long speeches full of Latin words. He declares that he knows grammar, logic, law, philosophy, physics, mathematics, and geography in depth. Such pedantry and distraction from the

essential is well reflected in the anecdote of a French professor who, just before dying, says: "Je meure." Or, "Je me meure," which can be said both ways.

Fortunato AND HIS DOG —"Bahl, you miss the mark too much to be a good circus dog."

Vignette

—If you had made contact with classical literature, rustic and rough shepherd boy, you would know that, in addition to having the obligation to care for the flock, you are also obliged by your bucolic profession to blow on a pastoral flute and play heartfelt melodies, so that we country friends may have a more entertaining time.

Vignette

TAKE GOOD MAN AND SORRY I CAN’T COME CLOSER BUT I JUST WAS AT A BANQUET AND MY BREATH SMELLS OF CAVIAR.