PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MASK: THE STAGE SPACE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE

Abstract

This article explores the phenomenon of the mask as a philosophical tool revealing human existence within the stage space. The mask functions not merely as a theatrical prop but as a symbol of the dialectic between an individual’s inner world and social roles, authenticity and artifice, freedom and obligation. The study analyzes dramaturgical works and stage practice to demonstrate how the mask expresses the subjective being of the character. Philosophical, semiotic, and psychoanalytic approaches are applied to examine the ideas of Nietzsche, Jung, Sartre, and Foucault, highlighting the ontological and existential significance of the mask. Additionally, symbols analogous to the mask in Kazakh traditional culture are interpreted from a philosophical perspective. The mask emerges as a philosophical category reflecting the stage embodiment of personal freedom and the dialectic between role and authenticity. This research contributes to understanding contemporary social and cultural processes through a philosophical lens.