Queens

1. Queens An analysis of imagery

2. Queen Victoria • A symbol of British stability and female strength alike, Queen Victoria’s reign was the longest of any female monarch in history. • Her reign was known as the ‘Victorian era’- during this time the country saw significant changes in economics, industry, science, culture, and politics (attributed as the great industrial revolution that coincided with her reign). • Great Britain’s Empire grew quickly during this time. At the peak of the British Empire Queen Victoria was considered the most powerful woman on Earth, and that legacy has been past down through every British Queen after her. • From the image we still get the connotationsof motherhood and feminine quality, somethingnot traditionally associated with leadership and monarchy. • Contextually speaking Queen Victoria played a veryimportant role as a mother; her children were instrumental in that they married across Europe,thus connecting the royal ties across the land and giving her the name “The Grandmother of Europe” • Her image is one of both power, recognition and resilience, as well as motherhood, matriarchy andGentleness...

3. Queen Boadicea • Was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire. • She is a figure of strength, defiance and power. • A renowned ‘warrior Queen’ by historians and media alike, the idea of a strong female leader who has power over other men (whether that is sexual or physical) is commonly romanticised. • Made something of a Martyr in her time, when her and her army supposedly 100,000 strong took on the Romans, and due to lack of foresight or poor tactics where surrounded, out-matched and massacred.

4. Cleopatra • Another powerful Queen, but she was also very beautiful, so much in fact that it drove two distinguished Roman generals against each other and almost started a civil war • With Mark Anthony by her side she was in a position of power against Rome itself • A more elegant combination of sexual power as well as raw leadership power. • Seen as a godlike Queen in her country. • Like Boadicea her story ends in tragedy, only this one is more associated with a romantic tragedy similar to the likes of Shakespeare's work Centuries later.

5. Queen SeonDeok of Korea • A reign of wit and culture, SeonDeok encourage renaissance of thought amongst her people, favouring literature, science and the arts to progress society as opposed to shear force (such as Boudicea’s warrior clan) or sexual persuasion (in Cleopatra’s case). • Although her main interest was in scholarship and academic gain (evident by the scholars she sent to China and the ‘Star Gazing Tower’ she had constructed). Most of her time was unfortunately committed to stabilizing the vicious fighting in neighbouring kingdoms and the various insurrections in her own, which ultimately brought an end to her reign (An opposing general led a campaign against her with the slogan “Female rulers cannot rule the country!” • At the time women were held in relatively high status, but certain activities (such as leadership) were still a controversial issue.

6. Freddie Mercury • A hugely influential figure in the world of rock music- his flamboyant stage presence (considered) at the time paved the way for the next generation of front men and women. • The band itself is one of the best selling (in terms of CD’s alone) in the world, selling approximately 300 million records. • Aside from record sales they were also one of the biggest live performers in the world (still to this day). With their performances drawing huge crowds (take ‘Rock in Rio’ or ‘Live Aid’ for example.

7. RuPaul • RuPaul, or RuPaul Charles is a drag queen, or more to the point a renowned drag queen in the 90’s club scene in New York. • Her/his act was a symbol of the sexual ambiguity that arose during the 90’s in many big cities (i.e. The metro sexual man, bisexuality etc). • She/he has a distinguished career in the world of performing and television, and continues to air her show ‘RuPaul’s Drag U’.

8. Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. • Often seen more as a victim of patriarchy and male feuding, Persephone was abducted by Hades (in Greek Mythology) which resulted in an unusual deal between Zeus (her father) and Hades. • Half of the year would be spent in the underworld with Hades (during which nothing would grow [Winter seasons]) and half the year would be spent on Earth (during which all life would flourish [Harvest seasons]. • Her tale of abduction and suffering was the mythological explanation for the seasons. But it is interesting that the story of a woman caught in a male feud was the explanation...

9. So what links these images???