NW+1

Identify some of the similarities and differences between masks in Indian genres of performance and those used in ancient Greece and Rome.

(I FOUND MANY OF YOUR SENTENCES RATHER DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW. THEY WEREN'T ALWAYS LOGICAL) The Ancient Roman and Greek theatres had several similarities with masked performance styles in India including the representation of standardized and recognizable characters and gods. They also have differences, such as the personally spiritual experience of the Indian people as well as their use of non-full faced masks.

In the Roman and Greek theatre, characters such as the old man and the virtuous hero, (THIS SENTENCE IS VERY STRANGE)in the Indian theatre of Ramlila similar characters appear during the festival that will be recognized instantly by everyone involved.(Richmond 1/23) Similarly Krsnanattam is focused fully on the representation of Krishna and the other spirits involved in his life’s exploits.(Richmond 1/25) (I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THIS LAST SENTENCE EITHER)

With the Roman and Greek theatre we have evidence that they contemplated on the character that the mask represents but the masks were most likely used for the benefit of the audience.(Eldridge, Masks in Western Theatre) While in the Indian theatre of Bhagavad Mela the performer that is to play Narasimha undergoes a purification and meditation process prior to dawning the mask.(Richmond handout 1/25) (I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DRIVING AT WITH THIS PARAGRAPH)

From all of the representation in artwork that we have seen of the Greek and Roman theatre they used only full-faced masks constructed of what is thought to be wood.(Richmond 1/23) The Indian theatres also use many masks made out wood however, there are several uses of masks that are not full faced such as the beaked mask that represents Garuda in the Krsnanattam theatre.(Richmond 1/25) (SO???? ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE GARUDA WAS CONSTRUCTED OF OTHER MATERIAL?)

Although religious and construction differences are present between the theatres of these different areas they often represent similar persons or ideas.

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