From the Latin, meaning person. In classical Roman
theater, it was a mask which the actor wore expressing the role played. By
extension of this notion, Jung used the term in his early formulations to refer
to the role a person takes on by virtue of the pressures of society. It is meant
to refer to the role that society expects one to play in life, not necessarily
the one played at a psychological level. The persona is public, the face
presented to others.