“Character is that which reveals moral purpose, showing what kind of things a man chooses or avoids.”
Explore Nina’s tragic flaw (hamartia). What is it and by what means is it developed in the film? Comment on the role of hubris in relation to Nina’s character. Compare it to the male heroes we have evaluated this year. What key differences are present and why?
- In comparison to male tragic heroes such as in King Lear and Citizen Kane, Nina’s hamartia is her obession with being perfect and her excessive pride. The male tragic heroes also suffered becaus eof their hubris, however the difference is that Nina suffered because she always felt she wasn’t good enough, she was never perfect enough and therefore her pride induced her downfall. In the case of the male heroes their pride was inflated – instead of feeling they weren’t good enough they overlooked others and felt too good about themselves. The connection between all three characters is their ego’s and the way they valaue themselves.
How are we positioned by Aranksfosky to consider Nina’s fate? We are supposed to be left feeling pity and fear for our tragic hero- does this happen in ‘Black Swan’? It has been mentioned that the cathartic experience has been inverted by this text. Discuss your view on this proposition.
- We do pity Nina as we are shown the toxic relationship between her mother and herself. We are also shown the infuriating manipulating relationship that Thomas has with Nina. They both take advantage of her and because of her innocent childlike nature, the audience feels it’s unnatural. The cinematography techniques used such as camera shots and sound adds to the unnatural way Nina lives. In sexual scenes, we feel uncomfortable alongside Nina. Close up shots of Nina’s facial expression and the loud breathing noises influence the audience to be uncomfortable. In the end, as Nina bleeds out, I personally believe we do experience a feeling of catharsis. The last half an hour or so of the film includes the rapid downward spiral of Nina’s mental health and well-being. She can no longer make healthy decisions as she has no ability to distinguish fiction from reality. When the audience sees Nina has stabbed herself we begin asking ourselves the question, will she get help or will she die? I believe that once Nina lands on the mattress and the scene fade to white Nina passes and is finally freed of the black swan. This also releases the pressure on the audience as they no longer have to feel pity for her because she is in a “better place” and no longer suffering.
Aristotle believed that a tragedy should imitate life and that the audience should see themselves in the tragic hero. Discuss Nina’s ‘transferability’- does she fulfill this brief? What is it that makes her ‘universal’?
- I think that Nina does fulfil the brief as although her mother causes her to be repressed and childlike, it is the society that set the standards for the black swan. The audience is able to visualise themselves as not necessarily Nina specifically but the idea of being forced into someone you’re not and having to constantly live up to someone else’s expectations to be “perfect”. Women in society today are required to look a certain way, not be too sexually active, but if you’re not enough, then you’re considered to be a prude. In order to play the role of the black swan Thomas pressures Nina into becoming someone, she is not by engaging in adult activities such as drinking, drug abuse and sex. That is his expectation and what Nina believes is what she must do in order to be perfect. The audience can somewhat relate to Nina’s situation as modern society influences young women to do the same thing.
Consider the role of society in shaping the character of Nina. Do you think that Aranofsky has made an accurate portrayal of the way society shapes the individual? Explain your answer.
- yes, see answer above.