What were short comedic plays that introduced real characters who were more fully developed than characters in allegories?

Short comedic plays that introduced real characters who were more fully developed than characters in allegories were known as "commedia DELL'arte." These plays emerged in 16th-century Italy and featured stock characters with distinct personalities and traits, as opposed to symbolic representations common in allegorical plays. Commedia DELL'arte relied on improvisation and comedic situations to entertain audiences.