Comedy and Tragedy Theatre Masks
Every play had them. Without them, amphitheaters seemed incomplete.
These two faces represented the two basic emotions of joy and sorrow.
They weren't human faces; they were masks. We are talking about those
two faces that have together become the symbol of theatre ― the comedy
and tragedy theatre masks.
Though the masks as symbols of theatre and acting, have become popular universally, the story behind their origin is relatively less famous. What is interesting however, is that the masks are always portrayed together. The origins of these masks can be traced back to open-air Greek theatre. Greek plays were performed wearing them. The intent of wearing the masks was to represent different emotions, and their look was exaggerated for the audience to be able to clearly distinguish between them.
Derived from Greek mythology, the theatrical masks are symbols of the ancient Greek Muses, Thalia and Melpomene. Here's more on the history and meaning of the comedy and tragedy theatre masks.
Though the masks as symbols of theatre and acting, have become popular universally, the story behind their origin is relatively less famous. What is interesting however, is that the masks are always portrayed together. The origins of these masks can be traced back to open-air Greek theatre. Greek plays were performed wearing them. The intent of wearing the masks was to represent different emotions, and their look was exaggerated for the audience to be able to clearly distinguish between them.
Derived from Greek mythology, the theatrical masks are symbols of the ancient Greek Muses, Thalia and Melpomene. Here's more on the history and meaning of the comedy and tragedy theatre masks.
Masks in Ancient Greek Theatre
is widely believed that theatre masks have originally been
attributed to Dionysus, the Greek God of wine, grape harvest, fertility,
and theatre, and were used in ancient Greek theatre as a homage to him.
These masks are said to have a dual meaning― the drunken joy that wine
brings, as well as a sense of loss, sadness, and tragic emotions that
wine can conjure. Symbolically, these masks were meant to allow the
wearer to express his emotions freely, without any restraints.
The comedy and tragedy masks have also specifically been attributed to two of the nine Greek goddesses, who each was the Muse of a creative expression. (In Greek mythology, a Muse was the protector of an art). Most of the ancient Greek plays were either comedies or tragedies, and hence, these two masks were the most popular ones.
The comedy and tragedy masks have also specifically been attributed to two of the nine Greek goddesses, who each was the Muse of a creative expression. (In Greek mythology, a Muse was the protector of an art). Most of the ancient Greek plays were either comedies or tragedies, and hence, these two masks were the most popular ones.
Along with being an homage to Dionysus, theatre masks have also been associated with Janus, the two-faced God of beginnings, doorways, gates, and passages, who is believed to have lent his name to the two masks, thus making the comedy and tragedy masks a pair.
Mythology aside, theatre masks were used by actors during performances so as to clearly depict emotions to every member of the audience, even one who was sitting in the seats far away from the stage. The large faces added a sense of exaggeration to the actors' emotions, which helped them convey their emotions to the entire open-air theatre. These masks also allowed actors to play characters independent of age and gender, as all the actors in ancient Greek theatre were always men. Theatre masks allowed them to play female roles with ease. Similarly, one actor could play more than one character with the help of these masks. Hence, we can conclude that theatre masks indeed played an extremely important role in ancient Greek drama.
The comedy and tragedy masks serve to show us the two aspects of
human emotions― the comedy mask shows us how foolish human beings can
be, while the tragedy mask portrays dark emotions, such as fear,
sadness, and loss. The two masks are paired together to show the two
extremes of the human psyche.
The comedy mask is known as Thalia, who in Greek mythology is the
Muse of Comedy and Idyllic Poetry. Thalia is the daughter of Zeus and
Mnemosyne, and is portrayed as a happy, cheerful young woman crowned
with ivy. Thalia is depicted with the comedy mask in one hand, and a
trumpet or bulge in the other.
Thalia and the comedy mask on stage were symbolized through thin shoes worn by actors in comedies that reduced their elevation on the stage, or wreaths made from ivy. Co-incidentally, ivy is also said to symbolize Dionysus.
Thalia and the comedy mask on stage were symbolized through thin shoes worn by actors in comedies that reduced their elevation on the stage, or wreaths made from ivy. Co-incidentally, ivy is also said to symbolize Dionysus.
The tragedy mask is known as Melpomene, who according to Greek
mythology is the Muse of Tragedy. Melpomene is depicted with the tragedy
mask in one hand, and a knife or a club in the other. Actors represent
Melpomene through an elevated stature on stage by wearing thick, raised
boots. Melpomene too, is the daughter of Zeus and
Mnemosyne, and was
earlier the Muse of Singing before she was cursed by Zeus' wife Hera.