Applying Propp and Todorov to Enrique Iglesias' Hero

Propp


Propp analysed folk tales and in each found the narrative contained a set of stock characters which are in every storyline; all having a narrative structure.
This consisted of 8 characters:

• the hero
• the princess
• the helper 
• the false hero
• the dispatcher
• the father
• the villain 
• the donor

I have applied his theory to the music video Hero by Enrique Iglesias, fitting the characters to his theory.


After watching the video it was very clear that Iglesias played the hero who was the main character, acting bravely and masculinely, this is also supported through the lyrics he sings to Love-Hewitt saying he can be her 'hero'. Jennifer Love-Hewitt played the princess who was the innocent, beautiful victim that Iglesias tries to save from the villains. These villains were played by the Mafia group in black suits with guns. However even though Iglesias plays the hero he does not in fact 'complete his quest' and therefore is not rewarded with the princess in the end as the villains win. I feel this video fits the theory however the differences in the storyline might be because it is a more realistic modern scenario and shows that not all fairy tales end happily with the hero succeeding.

Todorov


Todorov theorised there were five stages in media texts narratives, he believed the human mind needs narrative to make sense of things and we need to connect events and make interpretations based on these connections, looking for a beginning, middle and an end.

• The original equilibrium is the beginning where everything is as it should be showing normality. 
• Then an event will create disruption of this equilibrium.
• This disruption is then recognised. 
• There is then an attempt to repair and restore the damage of the disruption back to the original equilibrium. 
• And therefore creates a new equilibrium. 

I have tried to relate his theory also the music video Hero.

Normality is shown through the original equilibrium of Iglesias and Love-Hewitt being a happy couple. 

However we then start to see the Mafia gang waiting for the couple showing they will disrupt the equilibrium of the couple running away happily together. 

The recognition of the disruption is when the couple come outside and realise they are busted and are court; Love-Hewitt is taken by the boss of the evil gang. 

The attempt to repair the damage is where Iglesias tries to fight the boss to set the girl free and fight for her; however he fails and is beaten up. 

The new equilibrium shows Iglesias dying and Love-Hewitt being left alone.