Barthes narrative theory - M scene in Skyfall

Script

Our group have chosen to analyse M Poem scene from the movie Skyfall using the 5 Barthes narrative codes.

To open the scene we see our antagonist, we know this because of the use of sinister music as we see him enter a police car in a police uniform this is a clear representation of the Hermeneutic code shown as mystery has been created, such as why the antagonist is in a police uniform and where is he going too?

Because no clues have been dropped or clear obvious answers are given, this creates an enigma as the audience wants to find out more whilst being frustrated of not knowing why.

There is also a cross balance in the Pro airetic code as there is a sequential element of action taken place outside the building in the streets of Westminster where there is chaos -  civilians running and sirens sounding outside meanwhile in the building the antagonists in uniform are firing towards our protagonists in this case being M and her people, this not only creates suspense of why the city of London are in chaos but adds excitement yet thrill to the audience when watching this part of action.

M’s poem is a key  feature towards Barthes Semantic code and symbolic code at the same time, as there is parts within her poem which refer to additional meanings such as when she says “look around you is there anyone you fear, is it a face or in uniform or flag?” “no”, even though she’s reading a poem from her late husband, the poem also can be symbolically contrasted onto what’s happening in that exact moment of the scene as, the antagonists are approaching the building in uniform, which M states people in uniform are not to be feared of but this then takes away the power yet literal meaning of the poem as the antagonist begin to fire and cause fear.

A Referential code in this scene would be that the location is London and during the jump cuts we get of James Bond running heroically alongside establishing shots of the city, M’s poem becomes more triumphant and patriotic, cultural this symbolizes Great Britain as whole as historically they are known to be a nation of pride and  unity.