Gender
In line with societal expectations of 19th century Russia, gender roles are clearly portrayed in Swan Lake, with men seen as more powerful and women as the weaker sex. The ballet centers around Odette, the White Swan, portraying purity and innocence and mirroring societal ideals. She needs the love and kiss of Prince Sigfried to become a woman again, however Odile, Odette’s evil alter ego, also wants to seduce and win over the prince. Odette is fragile and delicate, while Odile is scheming and seductive in this ballet.
The leading male is in control of whether the swan can turn back to a woman or remain a swan. During the pas de deux (when the man and woman dance together) he constantly lifts her and spins her around, giving the impression that he is doing the brunt of the work. A single ballerina dances the leading role of Odile and Odette in Swan Lake, and is often expected to look a certain way, exemplifying the ideal skinny and beautiful woman. While performing the most challenging role in the ballet, Odile/Odette must make all of her movement look effortless, inferring her work is easier than the male lead’s. Women in Swan Lake are reduced to extreme stereotypes; helpless through the White Swan and manipulative through the Black Swan.
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