Karagiozis

characters

Karagiozis

moves vigorously, is a representation of his thefts

long arm, supported by a rod

lively and full of life

structure

click to edit

Bitiş

Fasil

Muhavere

Mukaddime

introduction

ends with the following phrase: Yar bana bir eğlence (Oh, for some amusement)

Hacivat performs a semai

second part

battle of wits between Karagöz and Hacivat

Karagöz, trying to first speak in Hacivat’s high and mighty style, inevitably gets into a mess, and starts a fight.

the main part of the narrative.

speaking directly to the audience

the closing scene

the quarrel between both actors comes to a head

Hacivat screams at Karagöz that he once again «ruined» all the important plans and has literally «brought the curtain down». Karagöz always responds with the phrase: «May my sins will be forgiven».

Hadjivatis

Karagiozis’ friend and accomplice

honest and serious

portrayed as a sycophant

techniques and tools

puppets

moved with a stick attached to their backs with the exception of Karagiozis himself, Stavrakas and a few other characters (whose limbs were controlled with additional fixtures.)


the legs (and arms for some characters) were cut out in separate pieces, which were then fastened together with pins.

made up of two parts (the torso and legs) with one joint at the waist

some characters (the Jew Solomon and Morfonios)had a movable neck and could therefore turn their heads

screen

Made of thick paper(cardboard)

painted white and usually covered in fabric

in the Greek tradition is called «mperntes»

There were candles or lamps that illuminated the puppets placed between them and the puppeteers (who remained unseen) thus casting their shadows and even colours onto the screen.

Later incarnations of puppets had cut-outs, which were specially covered with silk or a special coloured gel, in order to produce this effect that the audience could see through the fabric.