A puppet can be referred to by various names, depending on its design, mechanism of control, and intended use, including marionette, handpuppet, poppet, doll, and action figure. These terms distinguish between specific types of puppets and broader categories of figures that may or may not be manipulated for performance.
Understanding Puppet Terminology
The term "puppet" broadly refers to an inanimate figure or object manipulated by a person (a puppeteer) to create the illusion of life. The specific name often highlights how it is controlled or its material and form.
Here are common names and types associated with puppets and related figures:
- Marionette: A type of puppet controlled from above using strings or wires attached to various parts of its body. These strings are typically connected to a control bar, allowing the puppeteer to manipulate its movements.
- Example: Pinocchio is often depicted as a marionette.
- Learn more about Marionettes
- Handpuppet (or Glove Puppet): Operated by inserting a hand into the puppet's body. The puppeteer's fingers move the puppet's head and arms, bringing it to life.
- Example: Kermit the Frog is a famous handpuppet.
- Explore Handpuppets
- Poppet: An older or more literary term for a small doll or figure. Historically, "poppet" could refer to a small, often human-shaped figure used in folk magic or simply an affectionate term for a small child or doll.
- Insight: While not always a puppet in the performance sense, a poppet can be manipulated.
- Doll: A general term for a model of a human being, animal, or mythical creature, primarily used for play, decoration, or ritual. Many puppets, such as rag dolls used in storytelling, are technically types of dolls.
- Dolly: An informal or affectionate diminutive term for a doll.
- Rag Doll: A simple doll made from cloth. These can be easily animated and used as puppets, especially for younger audiences or in informal settings.
- Action Figure: A posable figurine, usually made of plastic, representing a character from a movie, comic book, video game, or television program. While not traditionally designed for puppetry, their poseable nature allows for manipulation in imaginative play or stop-motion animation, blurring the lines with puppet-like behavior.
- Figurine: A small, often ornamental, statuette, typically made of ceramic, metal, or plastic. Like action figures, figurines are not typically puppets but can be manipulated for storytelling or display purposes.
Categorization of Puppet Types and Related Figures
To further clarify, here's a breakdown of these terms based on their primary function and characteristics:
| Category | Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Puppet Types | Marionette | Controlled by strings or wires from above, offering detailed movement. |
| Handpuppet | Operated by a hand inserted inside, allowing for expressive head and arm movements. | |
| Related Figures | Poppet | An archaic term for a small doll or figure, sometimes used ceremonially. |
| (Can be animated or manipulated for various purposes) | Doll | A general model of a being, often for play; can include puppet forms. |
| Dolly | An affectionate term for a doll. | |
| Rag Doll | A simple cloth doll, often easily used as a hand-animated figure. | |
| Action Figure | A poseable character toy; can be animated for play or stop-motion. | |
| Figurine | A small, decorative statuette; can be manipulated for display or narrative. |
Practical Considerations in Puppet Terminology
- Mechanism of Control: The most defining characteristic differentiating puppet types is how they are operated. String puppets are marionettes, and hand-operated ones are handpuppets.
- Versatility: Many figures not explicitly designed as puppets (like dolls or action figures) can be used in a puppet-like manner when manipulated by a person to tell a story or perform an action.
- Context: The specific context often determines the most appropriate term. A figure used in a formal theatrical performance is more likely to be called a marionette or handpuppet, while a child's toy might be simply a doll, even if animated in play.
