Ancient greek theatre masks

1. What are Greek theater masks called?
2. Why did they wear masks in Greek Theatre?
3. What are the famous ancient Greek theatre masks?
4. What were the masks made of in Greek Theatres?

What are Greek theater masks called?

In a historical sense, there are two names for each mask. The name Melpomene represents the tragedy mask or Muse of Tragedy and the name Thalia represents the comedy mask or Muse of Comedy. Melpo is the shorter name for Melpomene, meaning a celebration of dance and song. What is this?

Why did they wear masks in Greek Theatre?

Masks served several important purposes in Ancient Greek theater: their exaggerated expressions helped define the characters the actors were playing; they allowed actors to play more than one role (or gender); they helped audience members in the distant seats see and, by projecting sound somewhat like a small megaphone ...

What are the famous ancient Greek theatre masks?

The two masks are associated with ancient greek drama with the smiling and frowning faces. They are the Comedy and Tragedy masks that were worn in ancient Greece during the golden age, around 500 – 300 BC, and are paired together to show the two extremes of the human psyche.

What were the masks made of in Greek Theatres?

Greek theatre masks were made of stiffened and painted linen so none have survived to the present day.