Sock and Buskin

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The sock and buskin are two ancient symbols of comedy and tragedy. In Greek theatre, actors in tragic roles wore a boot called a buskin that elevated them above the other actors. The actors with comedic roles only wore a thin soled shoe called a sock.

Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, is often depicted holding the tragic mask and wearing buskins. Thalia, the muse of comedy, is similarly associated with the mask of comedy and comic’s socks. Some people to refer to the masks themselves as “Sock and Buskin”.

Accordingly, several theatre organizations are known by the name:

• Sock and Buskin at Brown University
• Sock 'n' Buskin Theatre Company at Carleton University

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