Which characters commonly appear in Korean sandae masked plays?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In the Korean sandae masked plays, performers wear masks that are boldly painted to represent various stock characters. These characters commonly include:1

  • Monks (often depicted as depraved or venial)1
  • Shaman1
  • Noblemen (often targets of satire regarding corruption)1
  • Young dancing girl1

These masks, which may number 20 or 30 in a single production, are traditionally crafted from paper, gourds, or wood to portray these archetypes. The plays themselves frequently utilize these characters to enact scenes that criticize social corruption, mock the gentry and officials, or depict flirtation and religious rituals.1