The term marionette , which comes from the French word marionnette , is used to name a doll that moves by means of strings or another type of mechanism . Plays are often performed with puppets.
These puppets can be made with different kinds of materials, from paper to metal to plastic or wood. A set of strings allows you to give them movement and, therefore, gives them expression.
The origins of the puppet are remote. Already in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome these figures were used to tell stories . Over the years, new techniques were developed to exploit the potential of these dolls.
In the field of film and television, puppets enjoyed a time of great popularity during the 80s, largely thanks to the incredible productions of the company of Jim Henson , an American puppeteer and producer famous worldwide for having created the series The Muppets , which is known in Spanish as Los Muppets .
Among the television programs in which Henson participated was also the acclaimed Sesame Street . Regarding his films, The Dark Crystal ( The Dark Crystal or The Enchanted Crystal ) and Labyrinth ( Into the Labyrinth ) stand out. Throughout his career he founded more than one company to carry out his projects, which continue to be praised several decades after his death, which took place in the mid-1990s.
Working with puppets requires a special talent, as well as intense training to master it and be able to make the doll take on a life of its own, independent of the puppeteer . There are different ways to approach it: there are those who try to achieve the highest possible degree of realism in movements and facial expressions, but also those who exaggerate them to take advantage of their imperfections as part of the show .
It is important to note that the first puppets moved entirely by string date back to the 18th century. Their antiquity makes them part of the universal culture of our species: although we have never seen one before, the first time it usually causes us very particular sensations, rooted in the depths of our essence.
A good puppeteer can generate all kinds of reactions in his audience, from crying to laughter, through moments of reflection and intrigue. These skills can be seen in Jim Henson's films and series, without forgetting the meticulous designs of the puppets, which have captivated several generations since their first appearances.
Computer animation reigns today, both for television and film productions, and companies that use it with good taste and an artistic vision, such as Pixar , achieve results similar to those of the ancient puppeteers.
In colloquial language , an individual who is managed by another is called a puppet. In this case the word has a negative or pejorative connotation, since it refers to the lack of autonomy of the subject in question.
For example: “The new governor is nothing more than a puppet of the president, he does not make any decision without having the endorsement of the national president,” “I had to resign from my job because I did not agree to be a puppet of the director of the magazine.” , “Don't be angry with Damián, he's just a puppet of his father.”
When someone is designated as a puppet, in short, their lack of authority or capacity is being highlighted. Let's look at a hypothetical case to understand how this idea works. If it is stated that Juan is a puppet of Pedro , it is being said that Juan does not make decisions for himself, but simply obeys Pedro 's instructions.