Oscar Wilde and James Baldwin on Masks

Two sides of an issue from which we hide

Stock character masks from the commedia dell’arte tradition (public domain image)

I recently watched a documentary about Venice, Italy, that mentioned the tradition of masked balls or . A staple of historical dramas, the masquerade has the air of mystery and spectacle. Those invited to the party wear masks to conceal their identities and mingle anonymously.

The documentary talked with several participants of a contemporary masked ball who spoke of the excitement and intrigue of being able to hide behind a mask. Several people said they felt freer being behind a mask. “I can be myself behind the mask,” one person said.

Their thoughts reminded me of this quote from author Oscar Wilde.

“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” — Oscar Wilde

Wilde expressed the idea that people are more comfortable behind masks — an idea echoed by the participants in the modern-day masked ball.

I Can Be Myself behind the Mask?

When Wilde spoke, we never know whether he was being sardonic for its own sake or truly believed what he was saying. He certainly didn’t need a mask to be dramatic, although being homosexual in Victorian England meant…