Analysis Rough Draft: 300

The film “300” was very entertaining and filled with significance. The film heavily emphasized the human traits western culture views to be respectable and commendable. These namely include bravery, intelligence, patriotism, and persistence. The film also portrays the visceral confrontations between the Spartan and Persian armies, often glorifying combat.

“300” is a film which makes heavy use of sound and image to get its point across. The main purpose of “300” is to entertain as it is a film heavy with action. This is supported by the fact that many scenes in the film are highly stylized; an example is the often parodied scene in which Leonidas kicks the Persian messenger down the well. The grainy image on most scenes serves to show the audience the grittiness of the world portrayed in the film. The film, at most times, adopts a serious tone which can sometimes in result in unintended comical situations. Because of the focus on action in the film it can be assumed that the primary audience for the film would be adolescent and adult males. However, the underlying themes in the film suggest the general western population as an intended audience as the film promotes western ideals such as patriotism and courage.

What is the significance of this film?       

What are the underlying themes of the film? -> I believe the underlying themes of “300” are the importance of traits that western cultures revere. -> Courage, Strength, and patriotism are the underlying themes of “300” -> The protagonists (Spartans) are portrayed as strong, fearless, and nationalistic  men who fight out of their own free will where as the antagonists (Persians) are portrayed as cowardly slaves who retreat when defeated.

I. Courage, strength, and patriotism are the underlying themes of “300.” These three aspects of the human shape and behavior are presented as heroic and valorous through out the film. The film's heroes, the Spartan King and Soldiers, tend to symbolize all three of these traits. They are strong and brave soldiers willing to  fight and die for their homeland voluntarily. On the other hand, the invading Persian armies, are often used to symbolize the opposite. They are essentially a horde consisting mostly of slaves whose strength relies purely on numbers. These themes are present through out most of the film.

II. Supporting Evidence 1: Courage is one underlying theme within the film.
A. Spartans taught “Never to retreat, never to surrender”
B. Persians showed as cowardly in some battles presented (shown attempting retreat after defeat)
C. Spartans don't fear battle at any point through out the film
D. Spartans don't only accept the fact that they will most likely die on the battlefield, but they look
     forward to  it as a "hero's death"


III. Supporting Evidence 2: Strength is an other underlying theme of the film.
        A. Spartans presented as extremely strong both physically and mentally (able to utilize
             tactics to minimize the opposing armies’ advantage from numbers)
        B. Persians shown as incredibly disfigured, have some strong soldiers but most are weak.
        C. Costume design of the Spartans features limited armor coupled with a cape, focusing
             on showing the  physical fitness of the soldiers
        D. The physically deformed Spartan hunchback is portrayed as a treasonous villain

IV. Supporting Evidence 3: Patriotism is an other underlying theme of the film.
        A. Spartans rather die than be Persian slaves
        B. Persian messenger killed for threatening Sparta
        C. The two traitorous Spartans in the film (Theron and the hunchback) are depicted as vile in some form
        D. Spartans show to serve Sparta for genuine patriotism while the Persian armies serve
             Xerxes out of fear.

V. The underlying themes of the film are courage, strength, and patriotism. The characters depicted as heroes possess all three while those depicted as villains lack them. Almost every scene through out the film can be seen as signifying one of these themes.