Analyzing 'Bad Blood' Music Video: Women Empowerment

Analysis of Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' Music Video

• The music video uses visual and technical codes to convey messages of women empowerment, engaging the audience.

Characterization and Feminist Themes

• Lucky Fiori (Lena Dunham) is depicted as a powerful character, subverting traditional masculinity, by smoking a cigar, a prop commonly associated with men in power.
• This portrayal reinforces the feminist movement and reflects women's progressive roles in society.

Intertextual References

• The visual code referencing the antagonist boss in the film Daredevil supports the idea of women empowerment, echoing the feminist movement.

Audience Interpretation

• The protagonist, Lena Dunham, may be interpreted as a Propp 'Hero' figure or, for some male audiences, as a threatening 'Femme Fatale' figure, reflecting different perspectives on the feminist movement.

Representation of Women

• The video represents women as powerful, intelligent, cunning, clever, witty, and strong, showcasing their independence and ability to take action.
• The multicultural cast promotes equality in ethnicity, depicting women from diverse backgrounds coming together in strength and social cohesion.

Themes and Symbolism

• The use of violence and weaponry in the video represents women as powerful and strong.
• The polysemic throwing star disguised as a compact mirror maintains an element of femininity and caring about appearance, alongside the representation of power.
• The video explores themes of betrayal, deceit, and personal relationships, reflecting the narrative of the song and the artist's public argument with Katy Perry.

Representation of Femininity and Objectification

• The female characters in the video are represented as sexualized, evident through the close-up of Taylor Swift biting her boxing hand wrap, anchored by low-key lighting.
• This representation can be interpreted as objectification within a 'male gaze' framework or as a strong female participating in a traditionally masculine activity, empowering females and promoting feminism.