It is the character of a veteran sailor who pretended to be strong. Many people saw him as a hero because he had gained some success in a previous war. He got the credit for what someone else did though, really he was a coward.
He could be an old retired captain, or even a character that Pantalone wants his daughter to marry, and can be one of the innamorati. As a coward, when one of the characters would order him to do something, many times he would step down out of fear, but the other characters saw him as a brave character.
Often dressed in his military uniform.