This document discusses Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory and analyzes several music videos through the lens of this theory. It summarizes how the Male Gaze theory posits that the camera represents a heterosexual male point of view and that audiences view footage from this perspective. It then provides short analyses of several music videos, noting how elements like the sexualization of women, point-of-view camera shots, and exaggerated male reactions conform to the Male Gaze and represent women as objects for male attention and pleasure.

1. Laura Mulvey- Male gaze
theory
Theoretical video analysis

2. The Male Gaze
• Feminist view- the camera is an extension of a heterosexual male POV
and the audience are viewing the footage from this POV
• 3 perspectives of the male gaze:
• Director/Producer
• Audience
• Male characters in the text

3. Robin Thicke- Blurred Lines
The women in this video show a lot more flesh than the men, suggesting that they are being used as objects to gain
male attention. This video complies with Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory.

4. Scouting for girls- She’s so lovely
• This video conforms to the male gaze theory.
• The women throughout the video are
represented in a sexualized manner (e.g. by
biting their lip).
• The band are singing about how women
represent themselves, and the video is an
extension of their male perspectives.
• The male gaze is also shown at the beginning
of the video, when the women enter the
room and the band’s (male) reactions are
exaggerated.

5. Rihanna- Hate that I love
you
Even videos made for an audience of women can be filmed from
the perspective of a heterosexual man. This video is an example of
this.

6. Tyga- Hookah
• The Male Gaze theory is very predominant in Hip
Hop, Rap and R&B music videos.
• Many of the conventions of these genres are
evident in this video; including the nudity of
women.
• Throughout the video when looking at the women
we see them through the eyes of the artist (POV
shot). This is a clear example of the theory as the
audience are being shown the women from a male
perspective.
• The song title itself is called “Hookah” which could
be viewed as an offensive title to some women
• Hookers are women that are mostly employed by
wealthy men, as seen in this video.

7. Beyoncé-
Partition
• Beyoncé's “Partition” is an example
where the artist has chosen herself to
be represented in a way that supports
the male gaze theory
• Beyoncé performs throughout the video
in a sexual way outlining her body
through the use of lighting techniques
• This is seen as part of her artist image
and has become a recognizable link to
her music videos.

8. Selena
Gomez- Hands
to myself

9. Ariana Grande- Side to side
• Ariana Grande’s video ‘Side to side’ is an
example of the male gaze in the pop genre
• This video differs from the rest because it is
aimed at a younger audience of female
women. As a result of this the video has
caused some controversy as parents feel it is
not an appropriate way to represent women
to young girls who are forming their own
opinions influenced by the media.

10. The 1975- Love me
In this video women are represented in a stereotypical light. This
can be seen from the use of pink in the scenes that contain
women. Pink tends to carry feminine qualities.