Explain/Justify - How is Sexuality used to create drama in the sequence (Power/Threat)
Across the five clips very different representations are given of the character of Jim Moriarty causing him to fall under various stereotypes whilst that of Sherlock stays the same throughout. In the first two clips Moriarty is presented to be shy and shows no threat to Sherlock, we are explained in clip 2 that he is well groomed, wears brightly coloured underwear and left his number to Sherlock showing all his gay traits that cause him to fall under the typical 'gay stereotype'. Sherlock however through these first clips is calm and controlled, ignoring all words Moriarty speaks to him other than when he says 'gay'. This calm leader like manor accompanied by Sherlocks smart black dress shows him to be the dominant character and the typical presentation of an alpha male as he is both smart and stronger than the other men present.
In the last 3 clips however Moriarty is presented in a much different way to how he was in the first 2. He is now dressed in a black suit matching that of Sherlock and is speaking in what we are led to think is his 'real voice'. This change in clothing and speech takes him from being a weak homosexual stereotype to a strong male who rivals Sherlock. When Moriarty shouts in a clip he is shown to be powerful, this contrasts with his shy timid voice he supposedly put on in the first two clips where he is 'gay'. We are left confused in the fifth clip though as when Moriartys phone rings he has a very feminine ringtone which you would not associate with the strong alpha male character he has become. This makes the viewer wonder which of the two personas is an act, is Moriarty really the timid 'gay' man or the alpha male who rivals Sherlock Holmes.
The apparent switch in Moriartys sexuality across the clips creates drama as it leaves the viewer and the character of Sherlock unsure as to which of the two personas is the truth. The threat however only comes when Moriarty is dressed smartly in a black suit speaking in his natural voice to Sherlock Holmes. Through this the clips give the idea that men can only be powerful if they are straight as Sherlock did not even acknowledge Moriarty when he believed him to be a homosexual however now that he is straight Sherlock confronts him and is caused many problems by him. Giving the idea that straight males are dominant over homosexual males, and homosexual males hold no true power in social situations or society.
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