ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates two Italian notions with physical implications well known in Renaissance England: one, an adage, festina lente; and two, a code of behavior, sprezzatura, as examples of how the historical research as a physical dramaturg. The images in the text featuring Armado and Moth are loaded with references to festina lente, a motto used by Classical Greek and Roman Emperors meaning to make haste slowly. sprezzatura is a studied nonchalance, an ability to make speech, action of any kind, fighting, dancing, and jesting look effortless. The man who has the greatest sprezzatura and wit earns the most admiration from his contemporaries on the stage and in the audience. Shakespeare armed his fools with the same sprezzatura as he did his courtiers usurping Castiglione's instructions to heighten comic parody and create physical play designed to serve the storytelling.
