Start Date

5-2-2013 9:00 AM

End Date

5-2-2013 10:15 AM

Disciplines

History

Abstract

Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, western theatre has always found a use for masks in its performances, yet it was not just their functionality that made them a cornerstone of early drama. The real importance did not come from what masks could physically show, but from what they could represent for the cultures that used them. This paper looks back as far as the playwright Thespis and explores how Greek beliefs on identity, glory, and hubris shaped the meaning of masks, and look the implications of these ancient thoughts on the world of theatre today.

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May 2nd, 9:00 AM May 2nd, 10:15 AM

The Mask Behind the Man

Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, western theatre has always found a use for masks in its performances, yet it was not just their functionality that made them a cornerstone of early drama. The real importance did not come from what masks could physically show, but from what they could represent for the cultures that used them. This paper looks back as far as the playwright Thespis and explores how Greek beliefs on identity, glory, and hubris shaped the meaning of masks, and look the implications of these ancient thoughts on the world of theatre today.