The Comedy mask is known as Thalia, who in Greek mythology is the Muse of Comedy and Idyllic Poetry, portrayed as a happy, cheerful young woman crowned with ivy. The Tragedy mask is known as Melpomene, who is the Muse of Tragedy.

The use of masks in ancient Greek theater draw their origin from the ancient Dionysian cult. Thespis was the first writer, who used a mask. The members of the chorus wore masks, usually similar to each other but completely different from the leading actors.

The famous faces of drama, denoting comedy and tragedy, have their origins in Greek drama masks, which were commonly worn by all actors in ancient times. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the masks were used to convey emotion, and were considered more effective than a revealed face.

ten to twelve hours

These principles were called, respectively, unity of action, unity of place, and unity of time. These three unities were redefined in 1570 by the Italian humanist Lodovico Castelvetro in his interpretation of Aristotle, and they are usually referred to as “Aristotelian rules” for dramatic structure.

Icarus Falls to His Death Icarus was absolutely convinced that he could fly, so he invented a pair of wings that took him up into the heavens and beyond. His story is a tragic one because he ultimately flew too high.

To name a few differences, Greek plays were performed in an outdoor theater, used masks, and were almost always performed by a chorus and three actors (no matter how many speaking characters there were in the play, only three actors were used; the actors would go back stage after playing one character, switch masks and …

coryphaeus

Greek theatre began in the 6th century BCE in Athens with the performance of tragedy plays at religious festivals. These, in turn, inspired the genre of Greek comedy plays. The two types of Greek drama would be hugely popular and performances spread around the Mediterranean and influenced Hellenistic and Roman theatre

Greek theater is still one of the most important and long-lasting theatrical influences in the world, dating from around 700 BC and with some Greek plays still being performed to this day. Theater became significant to general Greek culture when it became an integral part of a festival honoring the god Dionysus.

theatron

Hephaestus

Dionysus was the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Semele, who was the daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes [see Thebae on map].

Ariadne

Eros

Dionysus, has been dubbed “a patron god of hermaphrodites and transvestites” by Roberto C. Ferrari in the 2002 Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture. However, Dionysus was only effeminate and often dressed in women’s clothings, since he was dressed like a girl when he was child.

In this light, Artemis’ virginity is also related to her power and independence. Rather than a form of asexuality, it is an attribute that signals Artemis as her own master, with power equal to that of male gods.

Hyacinthus

Medusa