Major motion pictures are a significant indication of our societys perceptions of themes of masculinity and femininity and are

hence, essential to consider and analyse. Both Amanda Bynes and Imogen Stubbs characterisation of Viola was relatable and they both successfully explored issues of gender, but Bynes character solidified and cemented the mainstream gender stereotypes, while Stubbs' character challenged and contrasted typical gender stereotypes. But that is not to say that Imogen Stubbs Viola from Twelfth Night is totally irrelevant gender roles are one of the main themes of the film. Both Stubbs and Bynes brilliantly demonstrate how gender is not just about physical differences, but it can be performed and impersonated with the use of voice, costume, and a change in mannerisms. But the said change in mannerisms is what causes Viola from Twelfth Night to differ from the Viola from Shes the Man. For example, in one of Viola's famous speeches when she indirectly confessed her love for Orsino, she challenged the male gender stereotype about keeping their emotions under wraps by retelling an account about a sister actually Viola - wasting away due to unexpressed feelings of love, while the Duke was the one who was overly extroverted in terms of expressing his emotions. One might argue that that the gender roles here are not really a reversal of the stereotypes, but an enforcement - Orsino is bold, assertive and confident in boasting that his emotions are more powerful than any womans, while Cesarios account of the sisters suffering has her silent, submissive and passive. But Orsino compares the power of his emotions to that of a woman indirectly stating that women are more affected by their emotions than men. Violas transformation into Cesario, and Olivias impossible love for him/her, also implies that, maybe, distinctions between male/female and heterosexual/homosexual are not as absolutely firm as one might think. But on the other hand, Bynes characterisation of Viola got rid of the possible homosexual elements of the love triangle Duke is not as interested in Sebastian as Duke Orsino is interested in Cesario. Stubbs' portrayal of Viola also stresses the potential ambiguity of gender: there are many instances in which characters refer to Cesario as an effeminate man. Stubbs also shows how genderswitches can make the characters sexual identities unstable. For instance, at times, one of the reasons Olivia is attracted to Cesario because he is such a womanly-looking man, while Orsino at the end of the play, strangely, seems as attracted to Cesario as he is to Viola. But on the other hand, Amanda Bynes characterisation of Viola in Shes the Man doesnt exactly challenge gender stereotypes but only highlights how much this gender divide influences our society, and what the mainstream perceptions are about gender roles. Violas role in Shes the Man could be described as pro-feminist, buy there are many underlying messages in the film and Violas characterisation that highlight the differences between a female and a male, albeit the physical ones.

Bynes Viola is a spunky, independent young woman who easily resists external influences to coerce her into the typical feminine stereotype for example, her mother insisting her to go to the debutante ball but it is easy to look over the stereotypical and potentially sexist messages in Bynes characterisation. From the outset, Viola has two worlds that she is meant to inhabit; the girls world and the boys world, immediately creating conflict between male and female gender roles. It is highlighted early on when Viola has a nightmare of attempting to play soccer in a cumbersome dress, with her need to remain feminine (symbolised by her dress) proves awkward as she trips and falls. It seems that Viola is willing to explore gender roles, but is every so often burdened with gender confusion. Also, Violas close friends are the epitome of femininity, including a homosexual young man who acts like the bridge between the great divide of gender for Viola. Every time her feminine friends come in to assist Viola in her transition from female to male roles, the audience is reminded that Viola hasnt completely deserted her feminine role she has simply taken a break. Bynes character seems to suggest that girls can don both male and female roles but they shouldnt abandon their femininity altogether. This message, and its implications of setting the worlds of males and females as antagonistic and separate, doesnt challenge gender stereotypes it simply enforces them by putting masculinity and femininity at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Everyone else in film doesnt stray from the traditional gender roles. The girls remain very feminine while the guys behave like typical, macho boys. Viola is the exception here, not the rule. The audience is satisfied that an exception has been made for a uniquely talented girl like Bynes Viola but it is simply taken as fact that most girls never would or could achieve the same level of success that she has attained. As the audience accepts that, they also accept the mainstream gender stereotypes. Imogen Stubbs characterisation of Viola and Amanda Bynes characterisation of Viola were equally successful in representing the mainstream gender stereotypes in our society, but Stubbs characterisation challenged and Bynes characterisation cemented gender stereotypes.