why are role of masks important in Greek theatre?

Answer 1

The performers relied a lot on masks because many people in the audience couldn't hear what was being said. The people in the cheap seats were so far away that they had to rely on masks, body langauge, etc. to distinguish what the different characters' roles were and what part they were playing in the performance.

Answer 2

The masks were a part of the costume. It was them which expressed the feelings of the actor. The actors didn't use their own faces to express the feelings, they were wearing these masks and the expression was permanent. The masks are a characteristic of the ancient Greek theatre which made every role of the play be an ideal personality. That makes them so important. Finally, in ancient Greece there were no female actors. That's why some men played female roles using the masks to have a woman's face.

Answer 3

That is what was used in Greek theatre. There were only a few actors in early performances (3, I believe, was the maximum). They had to use masks to change characters. The masks were also used so that people in the back part of the huge theatre could tell the difference between characters.

They also used shoes that made them taller so that they could be seen.

This is a HUGELY interesting subject (at least to me). I suggest going to your local library and checking out some books on the subject!

Answer 4

The best way to explain and understand mask work is to do it. I found that it made little sense until I worked with one in college. It is amazing what the body does to emote when it is behind a mask - we rely SO much on our facial expressions and our voices when we act that it is incredible to see how you truly can portray character without those things - try it....you'll see. It is awesome.

Answer 5

Actors and the members of the chorus used them to identify persons, characters personality or emotions.
All actor were men so they needed them to play the female roles.
Some times actors were few and had to put on different masks, in order to play more roles.
More info in the link

Answer 6

Everything above is correct so far . The distance, and conveyance to the audience. There was another standard that was presented as well;

1. Comedian = redhead
2. Hero = blond
3. Villain = brunette

Answer 7

masks are used to identify one's character. it is also used to identify certain emotions they are portraying, because theater during that time are big and it is hard for the audience to see the emotion the actors are portraying. also women during that time are not prominent in theater, so men do their jobs acting both man and woman roles.

Answer 8

It added a bit of anonymity to the actors and also to represent important facial expressions!!!

Answer 9

mask were used a lot because all parts were played by mem