Representation in TV drama Vikings

Age:
The younger generation within the show is represented as being quite childish and
they are constantly belittled and man handled by their elders. For example,
Ragnars son, Bjorn, is 12 years old at the beginning of the show and he is teased
for not being a man. This is represented through the use of high angle camera
shots
that look down on him as though we as an audience are also his
elders, looking down on him. In terms of costume, we know how
old a
boy is and whether he is deemed a man or not by whether he is
wearing a gold arm band which signifies manhood and loyalty to
their Lord. The way the younger characters are shown through
the use of high angle shots to make them seem smaller
mirrors the way they behave, e.g.: timid, shy and vulnerable.
The older generation is mostly non-existent within the show
as Vikings are known to be fit, able tribe members. A place which isnt fit for elderly
people. However, the older members we do see
have purpose and are quite important, holding
a natural stance of power over the rest of the
tribe and are respected by them. The elderly tribe
members almost always have some kind of wealth or
power
over the rest of the tribe; this is shown through
the
use of costume (the elderly have nicer clothing
with more jewellery), the camera angles (low, to
show power and dominance) and the houses in
which they live in/mise-en-scene (they are bigger, cleaner, and have more
possessions).

Gender:
Typically, men are seen as dominant overall in this show, through the use of low
camera angle shots to make them seem taller as well as mid shots which emphasise
the size of their chest, torso and arm muscles to create the stereotypical image of
the alpha male. The mens costumes have a lot of leather and tight fitting material
around the chest area, again to emphasise the muscle and show them as being
physically bigger than everyone else as they are constantly trying to secure
dominance. The women on the other hand could be seen as being represented
unconventionally as they are mostly equal in terms of the tribal society in which
they live in. The women are seen at and participate in events such as trials and
sentences where men would predominantly be in charge and there doesnt seem to

be a
problem. Also, the
women
are
allowed
to fight;
a prime
example being Ragnars wife, Lagertha. She is a strong shield maiden who has the
same leather and metal accessories on her costume as the men do which gives her
a sense of equality in terms of strength and social acceptance. However, women are
still abused, raped and looked down upon as well, adhering to the stereotype of a
patriarchal society where men rule over women. Dominance is mainly shown
through the use of camera angles in this show as well as editing techniques such
as the shot and reverse shot. The men will generally have more screen time as
sometime the women will simply be there to spur on the narrative of one of the
male characters.

Regional Identity:
The costumes, makeup and general appearance of the characters are stereotypical
and clearly determine where the characters come from. For example, the use of
runes/symbols on the Vikings clothing as well as the rugged braided hair and
smudged makeup makes it very clear that they are Vikings whereas the
Saxons/monks are visibly different as they wear neater, plainer clothing which
singles them out and makes it easier for the audience to tell them apart from the
Vikings. It also reinforces the stereotype of a Viking as it makes them seem a lot
more savage and uncivilized. The music also suggests whereabouts in the world the
Vikings come from as it has the harsh, tribal/folk feel to it which echoes what you
see onscreen in terms
of the Viking aesthetic, e.g.: the stereotypical costume,
hair, makeup and
set.

Saxon
Viking cleaner
ruggedappearance,
appearance,
short/well-kept
long hair (braided)
hair,leather
matching
armour/uniform,
clothing with intricate
disciplined
design
and
andheavily
muscular
armed
appearance
to make up
for their lack of muscle.

Class:
There is hardly any class system within the show apart from the lord/chief of the
tribe having some degree of power over the rest of them, however he is seemingly
fair and willing to listen to and aid his people, which is unconventional when
thinking about the stereotypical
representation of someone of a higher rank
or status. There is also the natural
hierarchy of parent over child, although I
dont believe this counts as a real power
struggle as its instinctual, especially in a
tribal/pack-like environment such as the
Viking tribes. Whilst there isnt really a
class system, it is clear who is more powerful through the use of their costumes,
homes, possessions and general cleanliness. Also, the characters who have more
power and wealth tend to speak better than those of a lower/more common rank
such as Ragnar.

Disability:
In this show, disability isnt frowned upon as an illness but is seen as almost a gift
as culturally, those who were different may have been regarded as touched by the
gods. In the show (season 1) there is only one disabled character named Floki, who
is all but shunned and praised for his gift of talking to the trees and his
outstanding ability to read signs, predict the future and build Viking longships. The
rest of the tribe accept him and utilize him for his gifts as well as look to him for
guidance along with the ancient who can also read the future. In terms of costume,
hair and makeup, he dresses no differently to the
rest of the Vikings; thus giving him equality as a
disabled person. The only thing that separates him
from the rest of the tribe is the fact that he likes to
live away from the rest of civilisation and practice
his reading and strange habits alone, suggesting
that he might feel that he can only be his true self
when he is alone. This supports the idea that
disabled characters are only shown in TV dramas
to make the audience feel sorry for them or find comedic value in their character as
Flokis character does.

Ethnicity:
In terms of ethnicity, the show is quite true to its historical context as all of the
characters are white with blonde hair (mostly) and blue eyes. There are minimal if

not no actors of a different ethnicity within the show as

contextually it wouldnt be historically accurate. This adheres to
the stereotype of the typical Viking figure as the Viking race is
renowned for its Aryan features. This race is represented in the
show as being power hungry and dominant which is
stereotypical of white people but it is all in context of the time
the show is set in.

Sexuality:
The dominant ideology of the typical straight couple is what is mainly focussed on
within the show and the exploration of other relationships such as a homosexual,
bisexual, etc. are left untouched. Promiscuity, open relationships and rape/sexual
abuse is praised and accepted in the show no character is left out of touch with the
sexual goings on with couples. When the men go out and pillage/raid other
villages, they are expected to rape the women (which they do) and it is deemed
acceptable. However, in season one there is an episode where Lagertha joins her
husbands raid and takes it upon herself to stop another one of her company from
raping a Saxon woman. She then kills him when he attempts to rape her, showing
that whilst it is deemed acceptable within the Viking tradition and culture, some
members (such as the women) do not find it acceptable.