Gladiator- Maximus Decimus Meridius

Character Analysis

Name: Maximus Decimus Meridius
Gender:  Male
Age:  40 died AD 190

   
Ethnicity                                

Spaniard
Family                                    

Wife and son (deceased)
Cultural background             

 farmer, General, confidant, gladiator
Intelligence (IQ)                  

known to be an impressive general and tactician

Education                                

No college
Occupation                             

Farmer/General/gladiator
Religion/Philosophy               

Polytheistic
Sexual orientation                  

Straight
Goals, ambition, dreams       

 survive the war, return to his family after learning  of their death and being picked up and becoming  a slave earns his way back to Rome before getting vengeance. 

                                                              

Secrets                                  

was set to become emperor but turned it down, knew that Marcus Aurelius' was killed by Commodus kept his identity a secret till Commodus threatened him in the colosseum

 
Fears/Phobias                        

Losing the love of his wife and kids and not being able to find them in there        afterlife or die without getting revenge.

Sense of humor                     

he does have a few jokes and japs with his friends 

Physical description              

stocky and muscular 
Physical disabilities, if any    

none applicable

Action                                    

a warrior a farmer and a father. he commands legions with ease. study tactics    and had skill in single and team combat.

Character Pose - in all of these we see his center of power is his chest.

"Are you not entertained" iconic line. chest open head stable

the interesting gesture here really sets the mood for his character arc. this is the middle of the film where he has become a gladiator. no rank.

in the opening scene we see a different side of him. humble and a leader of men. at the beginning of the film he is a high ranking general who attends to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

in his final moments after he gets revenge and see's his allies freed. he dies having kept his promise and goes to seek his wife and child in the after life. his stance is relaxed happy bringing closure to his heart.

this is one of the most impacting moments in the story. Commodus who had tried to have Decimus killed. see's him and goes pale Decimus then begins to describe who he is and the fear instilled in Commodus is palpable. in this moment we see why Decimus survived. the timing of his arrival and subsequent. battles that follow serve the purpose of deposing a tyrant and getting revenge for his family and mentor.

Intentions

What is the message or emotion you are communicating in the scene?

What are your choices?

in this scene we see Maximus come face to face with the man who killed his Emperor Marcus Aurelius. had his wife and child murdered and tried to have him killed you can sense the hatred in his voice as he tells Commodus his name.

Subtext

The implicit meaning of a character or scene

Body acting and speech could contrast each other

in this scene we see Maximus ready to dispatch his target. then he see's Lucius and seems to hesitate when addressed he gives a vague answer. before turning away in direct defiance.

I will settle this score ( I will kill Commodus)

servant of the true emperor Marcus Aurelius' (I don't  consider you emperor Usurper)

Specificity

Knowing your character, conveying the intent in a way that is unique to them.

The Gladiator has come full circle.

Execution

Posing, Arcs, Polish, Mechanics

Animation 

Acting choices 

we see Maximus go through several arcs. as a general in the north to a suspected murderer and ultimately a gladiator.

Caricature

Exaggerate to communicate and simplify the action

Acting choices

My Life is a Tragedy but I will be with my family soon (I've only this one task left in my life and i will see it done)

you can hear the pain and hatred in his voice.

Gesture

direct eye contact head held high confident.

we see Commodus reaction to his face being revealed.

you can see the rage seething off of him. chest calm and steady.

measured steps good pacing solid eye contact.

rage builds you can see he has a singular goal in mind.

the build up here is incredible.

Gesture comparison 

one of the more iconic lines in the movie

here we see a spartan from the Halo series delivering the same line.

Both show confident people and taunting poses. for Maximus the consequences of this could have been deadly. the spartan is more relaxed since he is hidden behind armor. high tension moment.