The document discusses Roland Barthes' theory of five codes that are woven into narratives:
1) The Hermeneutic code refers to mysterious elements that intrigue audiences to keep watching for resolutions.
2) The Proairetic code builds tension by indicating that future events will occur.
3) The Semantic code provides additional meaning beyond basic word definitions.
4) The Symbolic code conveys deeper, broader meanings on a wider level.
5) The Cultural code refers to unchallenged foundations of a genre's truth.
2. THE ENIGMA CODE
It is a theory that shows a text in which it draws the attention of an audience to watch on and become intrigued.
Usually a programme or film will not reveal the mystery or solution until the end which ensures the audience watches
until the end. It is the narrative hook enabling the audience to develop questions within their mind. It is a smart code to
ensure a whole film or program is watched.
The use of the code ensures that the audience are focused and intrigued, with a want to watch on to find out what
happens and to answer any questions. This is often used in many programmes and films which give slight hints
throughout making the audience guess, then they want to find out to see if their predictions were right.
In the motorsport genre uses this very effectively. It shows the protagonist given an obstacle which they then have to
solve or overcome. The audience then want to watch on to see if the protagonist becomes most successful in the end.
3. THE FIVE CODES
The linguist Roland Barthes gave a description of five codes in which are woven into any
narrative
The Hermeneutic code
The Proairetic code
The semantic code
The symbolic code
The cultural code
4. THE HERMENEUTIC CODE
This code refers to any element in which as tory is not fully explained and has a sense of
mystery to the audience.
The purpose of this is to keep the audience interested by keeping hem guessing and intrigued to
find out what happened. Therefore hiding the enigma until the final scenes of a film when all is
revealed and it becomes completely clear to the audience in most cases.
The code is displayed in the film Rush, where throughout the audience watch the multiple races
however there is the question in their minds of who will win the overall race and become first? This
is then revealed to the audience at the end after much anticipation carrying them trough the film.
5. THE PROAIRETIC CODE
The Proairetic code also acts as a tension builder to he audience.
It relates to any other action or events within a film that indicate the fact that something
else is going to happen. This again intrigues the audience, guessing what is going to happen
and watching on to wait for I to be revealed.
It works alongside the Hermeneutic code developing the story at the same time creating
tension and keeping the audience interested and focused.
This is shown by the fatal accident in rush.
6. THE SEMANTIC CODE
This code gives additional meaning over the basic denotive meaning of a word referring to
connotations within a story.
It shows the extended meaning to a story with limited text to give the audience more
information.
7. THE SYMBOLIC CODE
This is very similar to the semantic code however is displayed on a much wider level
therefore going into broader, deeper and more descriptive meaning of a story.
The code is typically used when a new meaning is arisen, causing conflict and opposing
ideas.
8. THE CULTURAL CODE
This code refers to anything that is founded upon staying with law of a genre. It can not be
challenged as is thought as of the foundation for truth.