Roland Barthes

Question 1

How many codes are there in Barthes theory?

Answer 1

5

Question 2

What are Barthes 5 codes?

Answer 2

1. Symbolic
2. Cultural
3. Proaretic/Action
4. Enigma
5. Semantic

Question 3

Explain what a Symbolic Code is

Answer 3

An image that has come to represent something else i.e a cross on a building we know as a church/ symbol of Christianity

Question 4

Explain what a Semantic Code is

Answer 4

Parts of a media product that WE understand has a hidden meaning or SHOULD understand i.e in a horror movie, lots of reds/ blacks etc. that WE understand mean blood, darkness, mystery

Question 5

Explain what a Proaretic/Action Code is:

Answer 5

Elements of a media product that signify something is going to happen as a result i.e someone pulls out a gun, we know there’s going to be conflict where the gun is used

Question 6

Explain what an Enigma Code is:

Answer 6

Elements of a media product that hook the audience in with mystery, makes them want to keep watching i.e newspapers ‘find out on page 6…’

Question 7

Explain what a Cultural Code is:

Answer 7

Parts of a media product you’re only going to understand if you’re part of that culture i.e age, gender, country

Question 8

What is the other thing Barthes talks about apart from Codes?

Answer 8

Myths

Question 9

What does Barthes mean by Myths?

Answer 9

Stories & legends that are passed down from generation to generation that tell us why the world is the way it is i.e marriage, religion, authority

Question 10

What does Barthes say about Myths and modern society?

Answer 10

We now learn myths through media products instead of stories - norms and values through advertising. A myth is a widely held belief which is reinforced through media language.

Question 11

What do myths link to?

Answer 11

Hegemony & how powerful groups keep their power not just through force but by getting everyone to accept their ideas as normal. Repeated throughout adverts etc i.e Capitalism