The character of "M" in Casino Royale and Skyfall. Authority figure or maternal role?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Definition of Authority

3. "Male" Authority in comparison to "Female" Authority

4. Defintion of a maternal role

5. Characterization of Judi Dench as M in Casino Royale

6. Characterization of Judi Dench as M in Skyfall

7. Conclusion

1. Introduction

This term paper is part of the seminar “The Post-9/11 Bond films”. In this paper, the character M, played by Judi Dench, in the latest Bond films will be examined. In particular her role in Casino Royale and Skyfall will be analysed. The underlying question of this analysis is whether M is just an authority figure to Bond or if she takes on a maternal role. First, the term “authority” will be defined. After that, the differences between male and female authority will be accentuated and questioned. In the fourth paragraph, the maternal role will be further examined to better understand what it means. After that, the analysis of M will begin. First, the character in Casino Royale will be analysed. After that, her role in the movie Skyfall will be examined. After analysing her role in these movies, I will conclude on whether M is an authority figure or if she takes on a maternal role in these movies.

2. Definition of Authority

According to the Cambridge Dictionary authority is defined as “the moral or legal right or ability to control” (Cambridge Dictionary).

As stated in Hannah Arendt’s essay ‘What is authority?’, “authority always demands obedience, it is commonly mistaken for some form of power or violence. Yet authority precludes the use of external means of coercion where force is used, authority itself has failed! Authority, on the other hand, is incompatible with persuasion, which presupposes equality and works through a process of arguments” (Arendt 2). In Arendt’s opinion “authority is left in abeyance” when arguments are used. Furthermore, she argues that an authoritarian order is always a hierarchical one and if one can define authority at all “[...] it must be in contradiction to both coercion by force and persuasion through arguments” (Arendt 2).

Schieman defines authority as “holding the legitimate power to direct others’ behaviour” (Schieman et al. 75). Especially in the workplace, authority is helpful in introducing dynamics and receiving other rewards, which is why job authority is referred to as “highly coveted workplace resource” (75). Having authority conveys to the other person that one has a certain status as a person in the company and with it many responsibilities.

When talking about authority, it is also very important to examine how a person uses their authority. There are many possible factors which influence one’s authority. These are for example gender, race, age, expertise and so forth. In the following it is going to be explained whether authority differentiates between a male authority figure and a female one and if so, how it differentiates.

3. “Male” Authority in comparison to “Female” Authority

In the following abstract it is going to be examined what “male” authority in contrast to “female authority” looks like. The western world predominantly assumes that gender is a binary system, which is why there is a corresponding distribution of roles (Butler 524-525). For this reason, it makes sense to relate the term authority to the female and male gender perspective.

An authority figure in general can be defined as “someone who has a position of power, especially because of their job” (Longman Dictionary, 2020).

Different character traits are ascribed to the male and female sex. Attempting to make a definition for the male sex role, the results have a lot in common. “Males are expected to show greater emotional control than women, and are often described as being more alienated from their feelings; but at the same time, men appear to become angry or violent more easily than women and are often rewarded for doing so [...] (Pleck 156). Describing a stereotypical feminine role “characteristics such as warmth, sensitivity, and understanding” (Yockey 918) are used, especially in social situations.

But the question is whether these character traits can be applied to their position in a leadership role.

Alice Eagly and Mary Johannesen-Schmidt have investigated whether and how the type of leadership differs between men and women due to the increasing number of women in leadership positions. They claim that the management styles of men and women differ “mainly along the lines of women being less hierarchical, more cooperative and collaborative, and more orientated to enhancing others’ self-worth” (Eagly & Johannesen-Schmidt 782). They assume that some aspects of gender roles also apply to leadership styles. To understand leadership, it is especially important to look at the agentic and communal attributes of gender roles. Eagly und Johannesen define agentic as “aggressive, ambitious, dominant, forceful, independent, daring, self-confident, and competitive” (783). They attribute these characteristics more often to men than to women. In the working environment this behaviour would be recognised by “speaking assertively, competing for attention, influencing others, initiating activity directed to assigned tasks, and making problem-focused suggestions” (783).

Pleck mentions in his article, that it is far more likely for a man to get angry or even aggressive instead of a woman, which underlines the previous mentioned statements. Also Jacobsen states that when talking about authority in connection to masculinity the authority figure “can be described as active, assertive and aggressive” (Jacobson et al. 366). Jacobson goes on to say that, these adjectives are far more often connected with men than with women. Communal characteristics on the other hand are defined as “affectual, kind, helpful, sympathetic, interpersonally sensitive, nurturant and gentle” (Eagly & Johannesen-Schmidt 783). These characteristics are more often attributed to women than to men. In the working environment, these characteristics would be recognised by the fact that a person chooses her words carefully and is not trying to gain unnecessary attention. She doesn’t mind if people work in different ways and actively supports others and is aware of other people’s feelings. She also helps when it comes to problems people have with each other (783).

This could be the reason why women with power are often described as “coming on too strong, as being cold and unfeeling, and as having lost her femininity” (Jacobson et al. 366), because they show the character traits that are still expected in leadership positions which are still tied to traditional, stereotypical gender roles.

4. Defintion of a maternal role

The word mother is defined as a “female parent”, by the Cambridge Dictionary. The role of a mother is changing just as our society is constantly changing. Today there are also many non-traditional family images, but in this thesis the role of a mother refers to that in a “conventional” family consisting of father, mother and child (Koniak-Griffin et al. 671). Whilst a mother 50 years ago was supposed to stay at home and be responsible for kids and everything around the house, a mother today has different expectations.

Mother might be best defined, by characteristics society demands and attaches to that position. First of all, a mother is expected to be a role model for her children, as he is in most cases the most influential on them. She is also responsible for setting boundaries and rules. The most important, but nevertheless almost the only situation in which the exercise of authority by a woman is not questioned, is the exercise of authority over her children (Jacobsen et al. 366). If her child behaves incorrectly, her authority is not questioned.

5. Characterization of Judi Dench as M in Casino Royale

Casino Royale (2006) marks a new chapter in the James Bond saga. Judi Dench has been playing M since Golden Eye (1995), but with Casino Royale a new Double-0 agent, Daniel Craig, entered the field. Before that Judi Dench as M has always been interacting with Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. “As in Ian Fleming’s book series, Casino Royale is a prequel and presents the origin story of James Bond” (Kunze 240). James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, has just received his 00 status which marks the start of the movie.

In the first scene1 Bond receives his first order from M which demands him to kill another agent of the MI6. This agent appears to be disloyal to the MI6 whilst earning money on the side. Before killing him Bond states that M is not worried about him doing work for others but does not approve of him selling secrets. This shows that M is forgiving towards actions of her employees as long as it does not affect her or rather the institution she represents. In this case, she is ruthless in her response as depicted in the scene. As mentioned earlier, women are more likely to accept different approaches in a work field, as does M here. What makes M special or different to others is her response to an unacceptable outcome, much like in this scene. She is unforgiving and more ruthless than others, to assert her authority in these situations.

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