The Objective
Masculinity seems like such an easily defined concept: the collection of qualities a man exhibits. Ironically, just like every other social construct of identity, there is no way to create blanket statements assigning characteristics to an entire population of people. It is impossible to pinhole a man into acting a certain way so that he may fit into the “norm” because there is no absolute definition of said norm. Masculinity doesn’t exist as an essential category; a man’s actions don’t make him more or less masculine.
Yet, every society tries to define its men one way or another. These guidelines are most commonly showcased through media, but the foundation for assimilating men has been around for quite a long time. “The history would have to include all of those honorable exemplars that immediately come to mind when the word is mentioned: Homeric heroes, Roman patricians, medieval knights… Romantic duelists,” (488) writes Horden and Purcell, authors of The Corrupting Sea, A Study of Mediterranean History, published in 2000. The list expands infinitely; as long as there have been men, there has always been some sort of definition of “masculine”.
Perhaps the biggest characteristic of Greek masculinity to survive throughout the years is honor. As Hadjikyriacou writes in Masculinity and Gender in Greek Cinema (published in 2013), “a man had to prove himself by being first a good son and later an ideal husband, father and provider. In this way, he gained timé [honor]” (12). In order to live an honorable life, a man must take on all the responsibilities of the family (which thus marginalizes the wife, but that’s a different discussion); if he fails to make ends meet, he no longer may possess a crucial part of his identity. Furthermore, a man is expected to be a dashing and strong lover in order to fulfill his true purpose. He is expected to calmly command every situation he is in, no matter the stakes. He is expected to live up to such ridiculously high expectations.
This blog aims to dissect the prevailing concepts of masculinity in many Greek films, and in those especially submitted to this year's Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.
Yet, every society tries to define its men one way or another. These guidelines are most commonly showcased through media, but the foundation for assimilating men has been around for quite a long time. “The history would have to include all of those honorable exemplars that immediately come to mind when the word is mentioned: Homeric heroes, Roman patricians, medieval knights… Romantic duelists,” (488) writes Horden and Purcell, authors of The Corrupting Sea, A Study of Mediterranean History, published in 2000. The list expands infinitely; as long as there have been men, there has always been some sort of definition of “masculine”.
Perhaps the biggest characteristic of Greek masculinity to survive throughout the years is honor. As Hadjikyriacou writes in Masculinity and Gender in Greek Cinema (published in 2013), “a man had to prove himself by being first a good son and later an ideal husband, father and provider. In this way, he gained timé [honor]” (12). In order to live an honorable life, a man must take on all the responsibilities of the family (which thus marginalizes the wife, but that’s a different discussion); if he fails to make ends meet, he no longer may possess a crucial part of his identity. Furthermore, a man is expected to be a dashing and strong lover in order to fulfill his true purpose. He is expected to calmly command every situation he is in, no matter the stakes. He is expected to live up to such ridiculously high expectations.
This blog aims to dissect the prevailing concepts of masculinity in many Greek films, and in those especially submitted to this year's Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.