Queer Achilles vs. Masculine Mimicry

Abstract

The essay is interested in masculine movement and its contribution to fostering toxic masculinity. To exemplify the analysis, the author draws on the film version of the dance piece Enter Achilles. Masculinity is conceived of a mimicry-like dynamics that forces individuals to set respective acts. The dynamics thereby only allow a small range of movements and immediately punishes deviation. It causes uniformness instead of individuation. Queerness, on the contrary, seen as an allowing dynamics helps to reconnect to playfulness and vividness. A dynamics that are able to establish caring bonds, as queerness allows difference and thereby reapproriates otherness as something that connects.

Keywords

• cultural theory
• movement
• queer theory
• mimicry
• performance and theatre studies
• dance