Theatre and Power: Social Masks and Carnival Masks

Abstract

In the text, the word «mask» is treated in a broad sense, like that in the Spanish Golden Age, i.e., not only as an object, but as a peculiar type of disguise, as appearance. The article makes a distinction between «carnival mask», expression of freedom and happiness, and "social mask", which assumes current standards of the system. There are masks that are present in the political life and served to legitimize power, masks in religious life, showing the connection between the festive and the sacred. Both types of mask will also be present in the theatre, and both complement each other.

Keywords

• máscara
• disfraz
• máscara carnavalesca
• máscara social
• disimulación
• dramas de honor
• violencia
• fiesta