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The masks were the most striking feature of the costume worn by the Athenian actors. Facial expression was lost anyway due to the huge size of the Greek theatres, but the masks were also a means of blotting out expression, so visual meaning was expressed by the entire body. The actors were seen as silhouettes, or integral bodies, rather than faces.
The mask-makers were called skeuopoios or "maker of the props", thus suggesting that their role encompassed multiple duties and tasks. The masks were most likely made out of light weight, organic materials like stiffened linen, leather, wood, or cork, with the wig consisting of human or animal hair. [22]
In some Greek masks, the wide and open mouth of the mask contained a brass megaphone enabling the voice of the wearer to be projected into the large auditoria. In medieval Europe, masks were used in mystery and miracle plays to portray allegorical creatures, and the performer representing God frequently wore a gold or gilt mask.
[1] [2] Melpomene and Thalia were daughters of Zeus. Melpomene means a celebration of dance and song, while Thalia comes from the Greek thallein meaning to flourish or be verdant. [1] They are often depicted wearing the sock and buskin, which have also come to represent comedy and tragedy, and the masks are thus sometimes referred to as Sock ...
Pselion (ψέλιον) was a kind of bracelet or armlet worn by Persians, but also adopted by Greeks. [94] The bracelets who were worn on the wrist were called περικάρπια, while these that were worn on the upper arm were called περιβραχιόνια.
The sock and buskin, like the comedy and tragedy masks, are associated with two Greek Muses, Melpomene and Thalia.Melpomene, the Muse of tragedy, is often depicted wearing buskins and holding the mask of tragedy, while Thalia, the Muse of comedy, is often depicted wearing the comic's socks and holding the mask of comedy.
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The use of masks in dance in the West traces back to ancient Greece. Grecian dancers would use masks for religious rituals to embody Dionysus and Appollo. [1] In Greek theaters, masks are used to enhance the drama of tragedy and comedy, illustrated by kordax, a mask dance of comedy characterized of uninhibited lasciviousness. [2]