In this essay, it shall be explored how Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, is represented in the 2016 Netflix series "The Crown". To do this, the series will first be compared to the film "The Queen", both of which were created by Peter Morgan. Some critics’ opinions shall be analyzed, and short comparison to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince William’s wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge shall be drawn.
Table of Contents
- Representation of Elizabeth II in The Crown and the Media
- Mystique vs. Humanization: Balancing Public Image
- Kate, Duchess of Cambridge: A Potential "Queen of Hearts"
- Female Monarchs and the "Scent of Change"
- The Crown: A Humanized Portrayal of Elizabeth II
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore how Queen Elizabeth II is represented in the Netflix series The Crown, comparing it to other portrayals in film and media. It also examines the contrasting approaches to representing the royal family—maintaining mystique versus showcasing human vulnerability—and their impact on public perception. The essay further considers the role of female monarchs in shaping public perception, using examples of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
- Representation of Queen Elizabeth II in media
- The balance between mystique and humanization in royal portrayals
- The evolution of the "Queen of Hearts" archetype in the British monarchy
- The role of female monarchs in shaping modern perceptions of leadership and power
- The impact of media representations on public perception of the royal family
Chapter Summaries
Representation of Elizabeth II in The Crown and the Media: This section introduces the essay's central focus: analyzing the portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown. It establishes a framework for comparison with other media representations, specifically mentioning Peter Morgan's film The Queen. The author introduces contrasting perspectives on the ideal public image of the monarchy—maintaining a sense of mystique versus humanizing the royals to enhance relatability. The contrasting approaches of Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge are foreshadowed as key examples throughout the analysis.
Mystique vs. Humanization: Balancing Public Image: This section delves into the debate surrounding the ideal public image of the royal family. It contrasts two main arguments: the preservation of mystique to maintain a sense of royal authority and the benefit of humanizing the royals to foster public empathy and connection. The author uses the example of Prince Harry to illustrate the potential drawbacks of abandoning mystique, and references scholarly articles by Bastin (2009) and Merck (2013) that explore the effectiveness of both approaches, acknowledging the validity of both perspectives and their potential to impact public favorability.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge: A Potential "Queen of Hearts" Successor: This section introduces Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, as a potential successor to Diana, Princess of Wales, as a beloved "Queen of Hearts." The author contrasts Kate's background with Diana's, highlighting how Kate's middle-class origins and her natural and relatable demeanor make her appealing to the public. The text argues that Kate's potential popularity, alongside William's eventual succession, could greatly benefit the future image of the royal family and ensure the continued positive public perception of the monarchy.
Female Monarchs and the "Scent of Change": This section examines the broader context of female monarchs throughout history, using Elizabeth Ford's 2009 article "Royal Portraits in Hollywood" as a point of reference. The author explores the historical context of female rulers, highlighting how their roles were often shaped by societal expectations and limitations, contrasting them with the experiences of male monarchs. The author discusses how, despite historical constraints, female monarchs shaped history while simultaneously navigating domestic roles and responsibilities. The section connects the changing societal views on women's roles with a renewed public interest in female monarchs.
The Crown: A Humanized Portrayal of Elizabeth II: This section focuses on the Netflix series The Crown and its portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. It highlights the series' humanized representation of the Queen, contrasting it with the emphasis on mystique in other portrayals. The author analyzes the show's depiction of the Queen's emotional resilience and dutifulness while simultaneously showcasing her vulnerabilities and human qualities. Specific scenes from the series are used to support the claim that The Crown presents a relatable and empathetic portrayal, potentially influencing public perception.
Keywords
Queen Elizabeth II, The Crown, media representation, royal family, public image, mystique, humanization, Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, female monarchs, historical context, British monarchy, public perception, Netflix series, Peter Morgan, duty, relatability.
Frequently Asked Questions: Representation of Elizabeth II in The Crown and the Media
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay analyzes how Queen Elizabeth II is portrayed in the Netflix series "The Crown," comparing it to other media representations. It examines the balance between portraying the royal family with mystique and showcasing their human vulnerability, and how this impacts public perception. The role of female monarchs in shaping public perception is also explored, using examples like Diana, Princess of Wales, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the media representation of Queen Elizabeth II, the balance between mystique and humanization in royal portrayals, the evolution of the "Queen of Hearts" archetype, the role of female monarchs in shaping modern perceptions of leadership and power, and the impact of media representations on public perception of the royal family.
How does the essay compare different portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II?
The essay compares the portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown" with other media representations, including Peter Morgan's film "The Queen." It examines how different approaches to portraying her—emphasizing mystique versus humanizing qualities—affect public perception.
What is the significance of the "mystique vs. humanization" debate?
The essay discusses the ongoing debate about the ideal public image of the royal family. It weighs the advantages of maintaining mystique to preserve royal authority against the benefits of humanizing the royals to foster public empathy and connection. The potential drawbacks of abandoning mystique are also discussed.
What role does Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, play in the essay's analysis?
The essay positions Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, as a potential successor to Diana, Princess of Wales, as a beloved "Queen of Hearts." It compares Kate's background with Diana's, highlighting how Kate's relatability contributes to her appeal and potential positive impact on the monarchy's public image.
How does the essay discuss the historical context of female monarchs?
The essay examines the broader historical context of female monarchs, exploring how their roles have been shaped by societal expectations and limitations, contrasting them with the experiences of male monarchs. It connects the changing societal views on women's roles with renewed public interest in female monarchs.
What is the essay's assessment of "The Crown"'s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II?
The essay argues that "The Crown" offers a humanized representation of Queen Elizabeth II, contrasting with portrayals that emphasize mystique. It analyzes how the show depicts her emotional resilience and dutifulness while also showcasing her vulnerabilities and human qualities.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide detailed overviews of each section of the essay, highlighting the central arguments and evidence presented in each chapter. They show how the essay builds a comprehensive argument through the exploration of multiple perspectives and historical contexts.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include: Queen Elizabeth II, The Crown, media representation, royal family, public image, mystique, humanization, Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, female monarchs, historical context, British monarchy, public perception, Netflix series, Peter Morgan, duty, relatability.
- Quote paper
- Michelle Blum (Author), 2016, Representation of Elisabeth II, Diana and Kate in Peter Morgan´s "The Crown", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1128293
