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Pierrot

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Pierrot is a stock character in pantomime and commedia dell'arte, often depicted as a sad clown.

Detailed Definition
Pierrot is a character from French pantomime and commedia dell'arte, typically portrayed as a lovelorn and melancholic clown. He is known for his white face and loose-fitting clothes, embodying themes of unrequited love and longing. In the poem, Pierrot's singing and the speaker's emotional connection to him highlight the interplay of joy and sorrow, making him a poignant figure in the narrative.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Verlaine’s “Clair de lune,” Pierrot belongs to a masked, moonlit commedia dell’arte world of melancholy and song; Dowson’s “Pierrot” presents the white-faced clown singing beneath a window, a figure of unreturned desire; In modern poems, Pierrot may represent the lonely artist performing sadness behind a costume; Contrast Pierrot’s wistful vulnerability with Harlequin’s agile, comic trickery in commedia dell’arte
Additional Notes
Pierrot is introduced as a central figure in the poem, representing the themes of love and longing through his singing.; Found in the poem, The Rose by Sara Teasdale
Also Known As
melancholy clown commedia mime white-faced pierrot tragic harlequin
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