Male Gaze - Laura Mulvey

Male Gaze

Laura Mulvey based on work done by Freud created the theory of the ‘male gaze’, which was key to the feminist Film theory movement in the 1970’s and has influenced media ever since. The male gaze which is both voyeuristic and fetishistic, is the objectification of women within media, with them often being portrayed as only objects of sexual fantasy. Mulvey argues the audience is created in a manner that they are all heterosexual men, and that men can sit back and watch their perfect passive female, without feeling guilty. Women within media are placed in three categories due to this, Mulvey claims mother and they are mother virgin or whore stereotypes. The typical male audience member is aligned with the films protagonist, by identification, admiration or aspiration so because of this women are never the protagonist and are just ‘eye candy’ for the male audience.

Below is an example of Male Gaze in the Muse video ‘Knights of Cydonia’

The woman is seen below the man in terms of levels. And is being used for sex after a fight, both examples of how this video has been made for heterosexual men.

(see bottom picture)

This goes against Laura Mulvey’s theory as the woman is saving the man. However you could argue the fact she is saving him half dressed shows that women can’t just be heroes they have to satisfy men sexually as well.

Posted By Dominic