Expert: Maria - 10/23/2009

Question
Why were women in ancient Greece not allowed to become actors?

Answer
Hello,

in ancient Greek theatre  the actors were always men and women were not allowed to play a part in a tragedy or comedy as they had very few rights.

Therefore the only one reason why women were not allowed to become actors is based on the insignificant role of women in ancient Greek  society  so that even in Athens, which was however  the most important Greek ‘polis’(city-state), renowned for art and literature as well as  for being the first democracy in the world, NO woman could really participate in public life, as women were usually restricted to roles of little or no authority.

Only in weddings, funerals and state religious festivals women were in fact expected to play prominent public roles. Otherwise they had to stay at home to look after their children and family affairs, if they wanted to be considered respectable women.

Therefore it’s obvious that in this  very misogynistic society women could not perform and all the actors were men who wore costumes and masks  and played more than one role in the play including those of women and children.

Female roles, of course,  were played by males before they hit puberty and before their voices changed, but also by men who altered their voice.

In short, the profession was all-male and those who specialized in female roles wore a garment resembling a hard pillow on his chest and another across his stomach.

Best regards,
Maria