Scaramouche

1.- A cowardly braggart in traditional Italian comedy that serves as the unscrupulous and unreliable servant. The common theme of this stock character type is his affinity for intrigue, which lands him in precarious situations. He will usually manage to extricate himself, primarily by chance, leaving an innocent victim to bear the brunt of the consequences of his follies. 2.- A historical book by Rafael Sabatini later adapted to stage This is whom Freddie Mercury was referencing in the Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody". Derived from, and often mistaken for, "Scaramuccia", which is Italian for "skirmish".