Masculinity Flashcards
Who was the title character of Sophocles Philoctetes?
The man who lit Heracles’ pyre when he requested it and no one else would. He went to Troy but left for Lesbos after getting a cursed foot disease that is spreading through his body.
Why do Odysseus and Neoptolemus search for Philoctetes?
It was foretold to the greeks at troy that they would need him to win the war.
What did Neoptolemus say in his argument against him lying to Philoctetes on the matter of virtue?
‘I’d rather fail while acting nobly, than win dishonestly any victory.’ (103)
What are the prizes Odysseus tempts Neoptolemus with in lying to Philoctetes?
‘To be called wise. To be called brave’ (131)
What does neop say on the death of men in war in Philoctetes?
‘war never chooses to take the disgraceful man, but will always prefer those who are most noble’ (436-7)
What does Philoctetes refer to as the greatest honour for a man?
‘good reputation’ (487)
In Philoctetes, what does a good/noble man appear to be?
One of high birth, well behaved, positive intentions, bravery, works hard especially in battle
What is a unique feature of Sophocles’ Philoctetes relevant to study of S&G? WHat does this mean for themes of the play?
All male cast. There’s a focus on what masc is and what it means to be a man.
What is an important detail as to Philoctetes’ painful nosos that is relevant to study of S&G?
The punishment was afflicted by Chryse, a female force (193)
In regards to control, what was expected for men in 5th cent Athens? How does Sophocles challenge this in Philoctetes?
They are expected to have strong self-control. Phil is presented as a good man but one who is clearly battling a body which he has lost control of - a normative male character with a lack of self-control.
What are the main 3 elements of the theory of hegemonic masculinity?
Plurality of masculine ideals, Cultural hegemony (dominance of a social minority maintained by themselves), and the discrepancy between ideals and the reality
What are the 4 types of masculinity that form the overall picture as part of the heg masc theory?
hegemonic
complicit - don’t exhibit all characteristics of heg type but doesn’t challenge the model.
subordinate - opposite characteristics of heg masc
protest - characteristics that wholly exclude the men from hegemony so they challenge the model
What was the IDEAL heg masc for 5th cent Athenians?(7)
intellectual awareness, served as hoplite for polis (or similar role), active political engagement, married with children, physical fitness, self-control, financial management
What was the IDEAL heg masc for Roman Republic?(5)
military service that thus enable political careering, choose offices that will best serve yourself, education (rhetoric and GREEK philosophy - interesting as its not really taken on in life because greek culture was not actually admired in practice), married with children (‘paterfamilias’), physical fitness.
What was the IDEAL heg masc for Roman Empire?(6)
military service, limit political careering else risk silencing, mouthpiece for empire in forum or law courts, stoic philosophy that reflects a proactive attempt in staying within politics, marriage with lots of children (‘paterfamilias’), good education(rhetoric and GREEK philosophy)
What should be kept in consideration when applying the concept and models of heg masc to antiquity?
They are wholly elite ideals and likely mainly mattered to the elite
Who was Polemo? What was his work we are concerned w?
Greek teacher of rhetoric and popular speaker who lived in late 1st-2nd cents CE. Physiognomy
What was Polemo’s work about? How was it arranged?
Learning how to practice physiognomic analysis on people using case studies that he came across, in order to deduce the person’s personality characteristics.
Book 1 - the eye
Book 2 - other body parts
What was masculinity according to Polemo and other contemp physiognomists?
A series of characteristics indicating masculine nature that are more numerous than any feminine features; a definition tied to the body.
What kind of characteristics, related to gender, is particularly bad for a man to have? Why?
effeminate ones as it will be reflected in their personality and they will act as a women w wild emotions and generally in unmanly manner
What case study did Polemo use to illustrate his negativity towards androgynous ppl? For what reasons did Polemo illustrate the case study to be a bad?
Favorinus, an intersex eunuch (penis but no testicles) who lived around same time as Polemo. He had a high voice, soft flesh, used cosmetics with the intent of seduction.
What does Polemo indicate regarding intersectionality?
Hellenistic men are a better form of men than others.
What was Polemo’s influence?
His Physiognomy was very popular with many translations made.
What are the charges Aeschines brought against Timarchus in his oration against the man? (3)
prostitution, accepting bribes from Philip II of Macedon, and disrespecting his inheritance and relatives
Why was Aeschines aiming to defame Timarchus’ character?
They were political enemies
In pro sestio (section 97), what characteristics does Cicero attribute to a good man?(6)
honesty, sensibility, well managed household, motivated to benefit their community (local or the republic), wise, and authoritative
In pro sestio (section 101-2), what 6 characteristics does Cicero encourage public men to aim for?
dignity, praise, glory, loyalty, dedication, and legally sound
Why was the physical state and appearance of a man so important in antiquity?
the physical state of a man was said to affect and also reflect his moral character
What were the three things that seemed to have been encouraged (found in Xen and HippCorp) for men in order to achieve physical wellness?
Regular medium intensity exercise.
Moderated food and drink.
Rubbing oneself w oil.
What is the latin word that conceptualises the way in which men achieve physical ideals?
regimen
What in the elderly Spurinna’s daily routine does Pliny the Younger refer to as admirable for physical wellness and longevity? (5)
morning walk, long drive then a short walk, moderate exercise (like throwing a ball), bath, simple dinner with entertainment
By the imp period, what was highly regarded both physically and intellectually for elite men to undertake?
rhetorical, including the gestures and delivery, training
What was the main function of the funerary imagines of elite men?
cement their legacy, and celebrate their masculine career and associated achievements
What in the material roman culture demonstrates the importance of the body in masculinity?
nudity that allowed an idealised and standardised hero-type figure (head/face was the veristic element)
What does Ovid recommend for male grooming?
avoid any excess - curling ones hair, using pumice on legs
to be merely neat is good - trimmed hair and beard, tanned body, well fitted adn clean clothing, clean nails ears nose and teeth
What does Demosthenes highlight as the most important element of virtue? In what context?
courage
338 BCE Funeral oration
What was legally signif about the paterfamilias role?
only member of the family to have full legal rights, and absolute power over minors within his family
What are the 3 models for Athenian men on grave stelae?
military hoplite image
athlete, often preparing for competition
bearded mature men w staff
Why was a military look an ideal represented on attic grave stelae?
represented a duty to the state and thus gave the man an impression of civic virtue
What does Messerschmidt say the effect of heg masc is?
continued suppression of subordinate masculinities and femininity
What does Connell say the effect/function of heg masc is?
subordination of women
