The Mask Of Apollo - Review Essay -- essays research papers

"The Mask of Apollo" revolves around the adventures of Nikeratos, a young actor who travels the countryside of quaint Greece and Sicily while performing in various plays. In one play, Kadmos by Sophokles the Younger, Nikeratos is required to wear an old act of Apollo as part of his costume. The clothe is fifty years old and is rumored to bring good luck. Nikeratos is impressed with the mask and comes to believe that it possesses special powers. He begins to call for reverent gestures toward it as when he places a bay-sprig above it and sprinkles drops of throw oute on the floor in front of it. During one performance of the play a battle breaks forth with a neighboring town. As the actors continue performing, Nikeratos touches the mask for luck and promises to make an offering to Apollo if the god helps him get through the scene. The superstitious townspeople undercover work Nikeratos in the mask begin calling on Apollo to help them win the battle. In the end they are successful in their fight. From this point preliminary Nikeratos carries the mask with him and defers to it when he needs guidance. Accounts of Greek history are sprinkle throughout the book with the political science of the ancient Greek world of siege of Syracuse playing a major role in the story. Nikeratos attempts to ignore politics as he sees himself as an actor who is separate from the government scene. done his travels in various plays however, he finds himself being pulled into the civil turmoil by his relationships with the p...