The Masks of Menander

the long version

This book provides a detailed analysis of the conventions and techniques of performance characteristic of the Greek theatre of Menander and the subsequent Roman theatre of Plautus and Terence. Drawing on literary nad archaeological sources, and on scientific treatises, David Wiles identifies the mask as crucial to the actor's art, and shows how sophisticated the art of the mask-maker became. He also examines the other main elements which the audience learned to decode: costume, voice, movement, etc. In order to identify features that were unique to Hellenistic theatre he contrasts Greek new comedy with other traditions of masked performance. A substantial part of the book is devoted to Roman comedy, and shows how different Roman conventions of performance rest upon different underlying assumptions about religion, marriage and class.