So, due to a recent game recieving attention, just wanted to ask a few questions. A Power Fantasy is wish fulfillment for a person that percieves themselves to be powerless. The term has been connotated today to refer to the Male Power Fantasy, where the male in question has incredible prowess, whether on the fields of battle or in bed. Should this still be the case still? And the bigger question I wanted to ask: What is a Female Power Fantasy? And is Bayonetta an example of this? Why or why not?
Power Fantasies
- Thread starter AlouetteSK
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I've never played Bayonetta so I can't speak on that, but I see Samus being brought up a lot as a female power fantasy. I think she works to an extent, but she's kind of lacking in the sense that you can't really tell much of her gender from her appearance (unless you're referring to Skinsuit Samus). Generally what I hear people like is a character who makes them feel powerful, but is also feminine to a degree. Ever watch Sailor Moon or Madoka Magica? I've heard a lot of people resonate with characters from those shows.
I feel like a character can be sexy and still be a power fantasy, but it depends a lot on how that's delivered, and who it's being delivered for. If you've got the camera panning over them seductively then chances it's a show for the male audience watching. For Bayonetta do you get the impression that her sexiness is more for her to feel powerful, or is it presented in a way that's more akin to fan service?
What works for everyone definitely varies a lot, but you can get an idea of what they're going for based on how it is presented. While I definitely don't buy into the "manly, angry and built like a truck" power fantasy, I know plenty of people who do (particularly when they want to vent their anger)
I feel like a character can be sexy and still be a power fantasy, but it depends a lot on how that's delivered, and who it's being delivered for. If you've got the camera panning over them seductively then chances it's a show for the male audience watching. For Bayonetta do you get the impression that her sexiness is more for her to feel powerful, or is it presented in a way that's more akin to fan service?
What works for everyone definitely varies a lot, but you can get an idea of what they're going for based on how it is presented. While I definitely don't buy into the "manly, angry and built like a truck" power fantasy, I know plenty of people who do (particularly when they want to vent their anger)
That's a pretty arbitrary view of a "power fantasy". There are many types of power fantasies that don't require feeling powerless.AlouetteSK said:
I think a power fantasy depends on the person. We're all different. I personally get a "power fantasy" from a character that either had to earn what they have (Batman or Naruto) or someone who is so good that it's more like playing than fighting (Dante or Bayonetta). I don't get that feeling from gruff manly men characters myself. It's why I love Platinum Game..um...games so much. They still do the fun ass kicker who enjoys being the best there is at being a bad ass and has fun with it. I think Bayonetta is a great female character and power fantasy. Even though I'm male I look up to someone who is unashamed of who they are or their body. She mocks others with her sexuality. Sure she sucks on a lollipop. And yes some see that as a phallic symbol. But I have a question. Is it like the regular sized or big lollipops from Lollipop Chainsaw. Or are the lollipops tiny cute things. If it is a phallic symbol what is such a tiny cute phallic symbol saying? Yes she get's naked for large spells. But is she just flaunting it? Not really. Even when she is completely naked she circles all her "naughty bits" with her hair so you don't see anything. Anyone who try to get close or touch her without her consent get punished yet she is very open in her caring for those close to her. She's sexy in the same way Dante is cool. To the extreme. So extreme and in your face (sometimes literally)that it borders on parody, much like Dante's so-called coolness.
I can't quite agree with your definition, it isn't only powerless people who have power fantasies. While I would admit that is probably the most common type of power fantasy, people with power could fantasise about having a different type of power, or of using/abusing the power they have to a particular end that for whatever reason they won't or can't pursue.AlouetteSK said:
As a male I doubt I could offer much insight into female power fantasies. Most power fantasies come from a desire to dominate, and this instinct tends to be more common, or more consuming in men, which is why the power fantasy tends to appeal more to a man. However, the fundamentals of domination, the exertion of power over another person, or people is to a degree consistent and as such it is not unreasonable to assume, that the basics of a female power fantasy would be in a similar vein, if with a something of a different flavour, to that of a male one.
There are plenty of people with power fantasies who are powerful already... and they're living those power fantasies and they're not always good ones either. Some of them are called politicians. You know, people who decide how our rules apply to the rest of society (them not included, like batteries used to also not be).