The use of wearing masks in theater originated from Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility and wine. Numerous rituals were adopted from Dionysus including wearing masks. Thespis, a famous Greek writer was among the first to wear a mask and since then mask have been worn since In Greek theatre, costumes were very important. Different forms of masks were used for various different types of plays. All masks were different; however, they were used for the same general purpose; to entertain and to give off certain characters. Masks were generally made of linen, wood, cork, or leather (Brockett). Using masks allowed the actors to come off as different characters and therefore the same person was playing two different roles. Costumes let the audience know whether or not the character was rich, poor, male, female, and their occupation. This not only made it easier but it also kept the audience intrigued and interested at all times. Masks for Greek comedy were very versatile. Actors wore masks that were designed to look like or represent animals, insects, and even birds. These masks were predictable and were easily recognized. Masks that portrayed actual characters in the play were more so extreme and exaggerated a lot more than those that were worn by the chorus. The designers would make the person have a flaw that was somewhat comical, hence Greek comedy. For example, the mask itself may depict someone who is bald or is unattractive in a comical way. When actors acted as a famous person that was well known they would use portrait masks, which depicted the person in a more realistic serious manner (Brockett). It was thought of as disrespectful to display a well-known person in a comical way. Costumes were very important in Greek theater and high standards were placed upon the makers and designers of both the costumes and the mask. There is not a lot of information about the makers, or who they were and what costumes/mask that they made. It is very interesting to note that females were not allowed to act in Greek theatre; however there were plenty of female roles in the plays. So what was done to portray the