“Camilla: You, sir, should unmask.
Stranger: Indeed?
Cassilda: Indeed it’s time. We all have laid aside disguise but you.
Stranger: I wear no mask.
Camilla: (Terrified, aside to Cassilda.) No mask? No mask!
-- The King in Yellow, Act I, Scene 2.”
― Robert W. Chambers, The King in Yellow and Other Horror Stories
Masks are synonymous with Halloween. It is said on this night the veils between worlds are thinnest and things from other side cross over more freely. Spirits of nature, ghosts, fairies.... In old halloween tradition, people would wear masks to hide from these things, blend in.
Or perhaps we secretly wanted to join them.
What is your mask?
From October 27-31: We will be making art about "Masks". Share yours with us on twitter using #monthoffear.
No mask! indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fine King in Yellow quote, and this fine compendium of fear!
Glad you appreciate both the quote and the compendium!
ReplyDelete