The sock and buskin are the two masks, usually
seen together that symbolize the world of theater/drama or
comedians and actors. They represent the ancient symbols of comedy
and tragedy.
In Greek theater, actors in tragic roles wore a boot called a
buskin that elevated them above the other actors. The actors
with comedic roles wore a thin soled shoe called a sock.
Interesting to know that street buskers, although entertainers,
get their name from a different source, busk
from Italian buscare to
procure, gain, or from Spanish buscar
to look for. The term is not related to the buskin mask above.
LINK
Street
performance or busking is the act of performing in public places
for gratuities. In many countries the rewards are generally in
the form of money, but other gratuities such as food, drink, or
gifts may be given. Here is a video LINK of
two English buskers, the Dualers (Tyber and Sy Cranstoun) before
they broke up the act. Tyber (on the left) graduated to
recording and is still doing sold out live theater shows all
around Southern England. Sy has also graduated to successful
solo recording of his own albums.
