|
Wonderful Comedy And Tragedy Masks |
By:
Jamie Reynolds |
|
|
Theatrical masks are a part of many cultures across the world. The Ancient Greeks produced comic and dramatic plays and were the first to employ comedy and tragedy masks, with various ones denoting different expressions. These masks are still familiar to us today as icons of the past. The BAFTA Awards ceremony for the British film and television industry use the sculpted masks as their trophies. These masks have become logos in the modern world and are instantly identifiable as symbols of theatre.
Items with the comic and tragic logo can be bought in the form of jewelry and ornaments. There are pewter pins and brooches, glasses with the imprinted logo, bookends and ceramic, wall mounted masks.
Masks have been used in the theatre to express different emotions and as a disguise to enable an actor to play different roles and for men to act as female characters. In Ancient Greek times, megaphones were placed in the mouthpieces of the large comedy and tragedy masks, in order for the actors' voices to be amplified. The Ancient Romans wore masks in their comedies and pantomime productions.
Tragic plots were traditionally written about royalty and aristocracy, resulting in dramatic deaths and murders, whilst comic tales involved ordinary people and had happy endings.
The Mystery and Miracle Plays performed in medieval Europe used masks for actors to play dragons or the devil. They were also used to represent abstract ideas, such as the seven deadly sins. The character of God often wore a mask decorated in gilt. During the Renaissance, masks that covered half of the face began to be used in comic productions. They were also used in ballet performances. There is also a tradition of comedy and tragedy masks in Asia. The Chinese actors used them to portray royalty and mythical creatures. Tibetans wore them when playing evil spirits and the Japanese used them for various characters. Japanese masks are very beautiful and normally made from lacquered or gilded plaster.
The theatre was an influence on other aspects of society in Europe and the New World. Masked Balls were very fashionable during the 18th and 19th centuries. Even today, masks still have a role to play. It is an integral part of the Phantom of the Opera show and who can forget that gang of bodyguards wearing domino masks that couldn't kill Uma Thurman in Kill Bill? The old Greek comedy and tragedy masks set a trend that still reverberates today.
|
|
Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article50080.html |
|
|
|
|
|
