| We have had masks for many years now. | | | | ourselves the moment the party is over, there is |
| Ancient theatre was greatly dependent on them. | | | | great joy in being somebody else for a while. |
| The now famous image of two masks, one joyful | | | | Perhaps that is the reason why Halloween has |
| and the other sorrowful, are associated with the | | | | become one of the most popular events in the |
| theatre of the ancient Greeks, back in the times | | | | calendar year for adults of all kinds. People today |
| of playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides. In | | | | plan in advance to make heads turn at the next |
| those times, masks were used to differentiate | | | | Halloween party. As a result, they start planning |
| the good from the evil, the hero from the villain. | | | | their gory and gruesome costumes quite a few |
| However, as time went on, masks fell into disuse. | | | | months in advance. Costume shops start stocking |
| Later, playwrights such as Brecht and Cocteau | | | | the outfits from even before that. And which |
| tried to make use of theatrical masks. Yet, | | | | costumes are in high demand? Scary clowns, |
| masks had by now moved away from the world | | | | vampires, and zombies top the list. |
| of performances and had begun making its way | | | | Of course, costumes only complete part of the |
| into ordinary life. | | | | Halloween party picture. One cannot forget about |
| Today, masks have a whole new role to play. | | | | the masks. These days, the emphasis is on finding |
| Nowadays, they are used entirely for | | | | a realistic Halloween mask -- not a difficult task |
| entertainment. Birthday parties for young children | | | | anymore. This is because the masks of today are |
| have to come with the whistles, the party hats, | | | | made of materials like silicon. As a result today's |
| and the many kinds of masks. And even adults | | | | silicon Halloween masks seem a lot more real. For |
| are not left far behind in the case of masks. | | | | instance, the zombie Halloween masks that are |
| People wear masks at costume parties, | | | | available these days seem to be much scarier. |
| particularly around Halloween, and move around | | | | The flesh appears real, and the fake blood looks |
| pretending to be someone they are not. Masks | | | | much less fake. Masks have come a long way |
| provide us the opportunity to wander around | | | | since their days on the stage. And these days, |
| without being recognized. Even though we are | | | | they have become a lot more popular. |
| aware that we will have to go back to being | | | | |