What Is Masculinity In The Matrix

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Masculinity is changing today as society requires not just a skill set of something that a man should have, but rather certain characters that they should uphold. It is a development of motivating character that stems to actions that define masculinity. Masculinity does not tie to certain set of skills and the process of retaining masculine identity in society today is evolving around one’s knowledge and character. In society today, the concept of masculinity can be possessed in both men and women, depending on certain types of characters that he or she acquires. I this essay, I will discuss about masculinity that embodies in the role of heroes in the two films, Star Wars and The Matrix.
Luke Skywalker in Star Wars demonstrates many qualities of masculinity. Even though he does not portray an ideal trait of hegemonic masculinity by showing his physical strength and manly skills, Luke possesses certain characters that correspond to the definition of a hero and masculinity. To truly understand his fate and his relationship between the power of the force, Luke must train himself to grasp and make sense of the guidance he receives from previous Jedi. He must overcome his own pride and temper in order to achieve his own quest. Based on all the principles that power comes from within and that he has to change his character by being focus, strong, and forceful. Luke has to overcome his thoughts of falling into the dark side and realize the good from the bad. His character breaks the traditional concept of hero, whereby most male heroic figure appears to be well built, physically strong, and fight well in battle. However, for Luke Skywalker, he has to realize that his pride of becoming a great Jedi requires him to overcome his own consci...

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..., it is evident that masculinity is not the only trait that a heroic figure possesses. It is a set of characteristics that is mostly judge by the capacity of emotionally and physically strong personality. It is easy to say that Trinity is just a masculine figure in a woman’s body before Neo comes along. But what differentiate her an admirable heroic figure is when she shows her selfless side by being the caretaker when Neo is weak and by being selfless. One similar role of masculinity trait that is portray by two heroes in the movies, Star Wars and The Matrix, is doing the right thing. It is by having the right judgment and abilities to uphold those qualities by embodying certain traits of masculinity. Because the traits of masculinity could be in both male and female gender, it depends on his or her characters that differentiate them from ordinary people as heroes.

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