This book investigates the dynamic role of commedia dell'arte characters in shaping perceptions of Italian identity across different national contexts and historical periods. The author traces the journeys of Harlequin and Pulcinella, examining how their presence in French, Italian, and Polish theatre during the 17th and 18th centuries contributed to the construction of 'Italianness' for foreign audiences. It also explores the later erasure of Pulcinella and Italian dialect theatre from the narrative of Italian national community formation in the 19th and 20th centuries. By employing contemporary performance studies methodologies, the work bridges historical and present-day theatrical practices, offering new epistemological frameworks for various academic disciplines.

The book offers a scholarly examination of commedia dell'arte's role in shaping national identity, utilizing modern performance studies to connect past and present theatrical practices. Its interdisciplinary approach is designed to open new avenues for research in theatre, cultural, and media studies. The detailed historical tracing of Harlequin and Pulcinella suggests a rigorous academic engagement with the subject matter. The work appears poised to contribute significantly to the understanding of cultural mobility and the construction of national identity through performance.