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
1. On female monarchs: Diana, Kate and Elizabeth II
1.1 Representation in Peter Morgan’s The Crown and the media
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the representation of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2016 Netflix series The Crown, contrasting her portrayal with the film The Queen and comparing her public image to that of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
- Analysis of the concept of royal mystique versus human representation.
- Comparative study of Peter Morgan’s depictions of the British monarchy.
- Examination of the public perception of duty, gender roles, and tradition within the royal family.
- Investigation of the media's influence on the popular image of female monarchs.
Excerpt from the Book
Representation in Peter Morgan’s The Crown and the media
Throughout the season, Elizabeth II is portrayed as a woman wearing a crown she did not want or expect to have. She only received it because her uncle, King Edward abdicated and her father King George died quite young. While it could be expected that she rages, cries or in the other extreme lets the newly found power and prestige go to her head, she instead remains calm and graceful. She does not cry on-screen, but it can be speculated that the real Elizabeth did so: She loved her father dearly. Netflix may have shied away from showing a ‘weak’ queen; the royal family may have intervened to stop any overly emotional moments; but that is something that will probably remain unknown.
What it does show is how dutiful Elizabeth is: She does what she is expected to do, and she respects her advisors and their opinions on her rule. A woman who gains even the respect of Winston Churchill is a role model to look up to for many viewers, young and old, and definitely helping the image of the queen, though it can be asked if she needs that at all. She is, after all, the longest-reigning queen and her popularity has hardly ever wavered in the eyes of the public. Throughout the series, a few moments show the insecure, humble side of Elizabeth. She asks to borrow the heavy coronation crown to practice wearing it, and her advisor asks her, if it did not belong to her, to whom else? This side of the queen that also shows her practical approach to many things can be found in a number of other scenes: When a car stops working during her vacation abroad, she tells the men trying to fix it that she knows how to do it, since she was a mechanic in the war.
Summary of Chapters
On female monarchs: Diana, Kate and Elizabeth II: This section introduces the theoretical framework regarding royal mystique and duty, contrasting the public personas of Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.
Representation in Peter Morgan’s The Crown and the media: This section provides a detailed analysis of the Netflix series, focusing on the humanization of the Queen, her sense of duty, and the balance between her public responsibilities and her private life.
Keywords
Elizabeth II, The Crown, The Queen, Peter Morgan, British Monarchy, Royal Mystique, Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, Representation, Media, Duty, Female Monarchs, Celebrity, Netflix, Public Image
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay examines how Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Peter Morgan's Netflix series The Crown, exploring the themes of duty and humanization.
Which key topics are addressed in the text?
The text covers the concept of royal mystique, comparisons between royal figures like Diana and Kate, and the role of the media in shaping perceptions of the monarchy.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to analyze how the Netflix series deviates from or reinforces traditional representations of the Queen as compared to earlier cinematic portrayals.
What methodology does the author use?
The author employs a comparative analysis of primary media sources (film and TV series) alongside existing scholarly articles on royal representation.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body focuses on the characterization of Elizabeth II as a dutiful yet human figure and contrasts her status with other iconic royal women.
Which keywords define this work?
Keywords include Elizabeth II, The Crown, royal mystique, duty, and media representation.
How does the series The Crown handle the concept of 'royal mystique'?
According to the author, the series largely replaces the traditional 'mystique' with a more human, relatable portrayal of the royal family members.
What significance does the author attribute to the 'duty' of the Queen?
Duty is framed as the defining characteristic of Elizabeth II's reign, which serves as a stabilizing force for the United Kingdom.
- Citar trabajo
- Michelle Blum (Autor), 2016, Representation of Elisabeth II, Diana and Kate in Peter Morgan´s "The Crown", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1128293
