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How did Ruzzante use the Paduan dialect in his farces?

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Ancient Egyptian illustration from the Book of the Dead showing Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, with gods seated above and hieroglyphic text throughout. — Western theatre Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, c. 1275 bce.

Angelo Beolco, known by his stage name Ruzzante, utilized the rural Paduan dialect in his farces to depict the lives of oppressed peasants with profound realism and seriousness.12

By writing in this regional dialect, Ruzzante moved away from the rigid, artificial constraints of Italian Neoclassicism, which often relied on dull imitations of Classical models. Instead, he drew upon everyday situations and authentic, distinctly Italian character types. This linguistic choice, combined with his focus on the struggles of the peasantry, allowed him to introduce a more naturalistic style of acting based on direct observation of people and life. His work is now recognized as a significant departure from the era's courtly, elitist theatre, serving as a vital contribution to the development of modern European drama.21