Many people attribute the beginnings of ballet to being associated with the art form of Commedia Dell'Arte. Although ballet has its roots associated with the comic art form, various elements unique to Commedia Dell'Arte influenced ballet artists, dancers, and choreographers long after the death of Commedia performance Dell’Arte. Commedia Dell'Arte was not only important for the creation of ballet, but also for the inspiration of many ballets and choreographic works throughout history. Commedia Dell'Arte was an Italian theatrical art form that developed in the 16th century and lasted in its original form until the 18th century (Encyclopædia Britannica). It was performed by a troupe of actors who traveled across Europe and performed improvisations within a set framework of plots and characters familiar or based on rumor for 200 years (humanracetheatre.org). Commedia Dell'Arte dates back to 1545, with a company called Il Gelosi, commissioned by Francesco Andreini and his wife Isabella in Padua, Italy (Encyclopædia Britannica). Numerous companies were created subsequently, to which some of the greatest actors of Commedia Del'Arte belonged. The troupes consisted of ten to fifteen actors, each with a unique role and wearing elaborate masks representing who was playing which role (humanracetheatre.org). While Commedia Dell'Arte is known to have started in Italy and was a high point in Italian society, it also became very popular in Parisian society. It originated as Comédie-Italienne in France in 1653 and remained a popular art form in French courts until Louis XIV banished Italian troops in 1697 (Encyclopædia Britannica). The plots followed a simple framework; il vecchi, who were usually elderly fathers/guardians, separated two young lovers and served...... middle of paper ......y influential in many different art forms, including ballet. Commedia Dell'Arte was a means for artists, dancers and choreographers to illustrate meaning and emotion through the beloved and iconized characters and framework plots born from Commedia Dell'Arte. Ballet adopted its pantomime mechanics from mime associated with Commedia Dell'Arte, and pantomime is still used in ballet today. Various elements specific to Commedia Dell'Arte influenced ballet artists, dancers and choreographers long after the death of Commedia Dell'Arte performance. Diaghilev played a very influential role in the revival of Commedia Dell'Arte themes, which catalyzed the inspiration of many choreographers to produce ballets on these themes. Commedia Dell'Arte played an essential role in the creation of ballet and was influential in the creation of many ballets and theatrical works of art..