Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen (2024) is the latest series to reimagine the age-old trope with which it shares its name. So what exactly is a “gentleman”? And why has this trope remained so pervasive throughout history, both off and onscreen? Psychology provides some answers.
The origins of the gentleman
- It relates to the English gentry, which was the class below nobility but above farmers, and is a direct translation of the earlier French term gentilz hom, denoting a man of high status.
- Today, the concept of the gentleman remains ingrained in Western culture and is widely reflected in film and television.
A gentleman is power restrained
- And all of these characters share the common trait of having some form of power – whether it be physical, political, economic or social.
- Onscreen gentleman show us real power is restrained.
- Restrained power fits neatly into the gentleman trope and is considered a positive value in Western culture.
- Another example of restrained power is seen is the character Harvey Specter, from Suits (2011-19).
A gentleman has honour
- Another trait shared by gentleman characters is “honour”.
- Cultural psychology has defined honour as maintaining reputational status through “integrity, honesty, being true to one’s principles […] not tolerating disrespect and insults, and protecting oneself and one’s family, group or clan from face loss and reputational harm”.
These characters can help to remind young boys and men of a pervasive cultural logic: that their behaviours determine their social acceptance, and that using their skills and strengths for others’ benefit will positively impact how others perceive them.
A gentleman is clever
- A third quality of the gentleman is that of mastery or cleverness.
- In the new series Shōgun (2024), a Japanese feudal lord called Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) shows great cleverness in evading his enemies.
- Early on in the series, he says:
A leader must write clearly and beautifully.
What we can learn from onscreen gentlemen
- The reason for our universal recognition of such archetypes comes from psychologist Carl Jung’s (1875-1961) idea of the “collective unconscious”.
- These concepts, he said, provide a framework to interpret the world that’s shared across peoples and cultures.
- In recognising them, viewers can tap into their own innate understanding of particular patterns of behaviour.
- Read more:
'Toxic masculinity': what does it mean, where did it come from – and is the term useful or harmful?
Jayden Greenwell-Barnden does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
