Humanities Timeline

  • The Great Wall of China
    700 BCE

    The Great Wall of China

    Built over centuries by countless laborers, soldiers, and rulers, it symbolizes protection, strength, and the assertion of dominance over vast landscapes. In terms of masculinity, the Wall embodies collective male labor, military vigilance, and the idea of safeguarding one’s people through sheer physical fortification.
  • 170

    You have power over your mind (Philosophy)

    You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength. Marcus Aurelius points out that we really only have control over the workings of our mind, our thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
  • Hamlet (William Shakespeare)

    Hamlet (William Shakespeare)

    Hamlet is a prince caught between duty and doubt, tasked with avenging his father’s murder. This tension reveals masculinity not as a fixed ideal but as a fragile performance, vulnerable to emotion and uncertainty. Hamlet’s soliloquies expose the inner conflict between courage and fear, action and paralysis, showing that masculinity can be both heroic and deeply human.
  • The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (Rembrandt).

    The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (Rembrandt).

    This dramatic piece of painting by Rembrandt portrays the struggle of men with the wrath of nature on a tiny boat. The battle against anarchy is an expression of masculine principles of bravery, command, and power to resist forces that cannot be controlled.
  • The Astronomer (Johannes Vermeer).

    The Astronomer (Johannes Vermeer).

    The intellectual mastery and curiosity portrayed in the picture of a man studying the stars by Vermeer is distinguished. Masculinity, in this case, is associated with knowledge, exploration, and searching the truth beyond the limits of the earth.
  • Napoleon Crossing the Alps (Jacques-Louis David)

    Napoleon Crossing the Alps (Jacques-Louis David)

    This is a heroic portrait of Napoleon that is focused on power, ambition, and military strength. Masculinity is articulated in conquering, dominating and the image of the fearless leader.
  • Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

    Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

    Captain Ahab and his crew are followed in their compulsive search for the white whale in Melville's epic tale. The narrative is replete with manly themes, such as perseverance at sea, the psychological and physical costs of obsession, and the friendship among men in a perilous, remote setting.
  • Worn Out, Van Gogh

    Worn Out, Van Gogh

    Van Gogh made dozens of large figure drawings in The Hague, in which he practiced representing human proportions, poses and facial expressions.The choice of subjects often reflects traditional masculine themes, such as labor and perseverance.The physical wear on the sketch symbolizes the struggles and hardships typically linked to male experiences.
  • Paris Street; Rainy Day (Gustave Caillebotte)

    Paris Street; Rainy Day (Gustave Caillebotte)

    The urban scene painted by Caillebotte depicts men in modernity sailing through it calmly. In this case, masculinity is shown through civility, social presence and adjusting to the new rhythms of urban living.
  • The Falling Soldier (Robert Capa)

    The Falling Soldier (Robert Capa)

    This iconic war photograph taken by Robert Capa captures a man at the moment of death in battle. This photo represents war and the sad reality of it. Masculinity is framed through sacrifice, vulnerability, and the tragic cost of valor.
  • Free Bird

    Free Bird is a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973.The song is about the struggle for personal freedom, portraying a man who must leave a woman because he cannot commit, choosing the open road and independence over settling down. https://www.youtube.com/watch v=0LwcvjNJTuMlist=RD0LwcvjNJTuMstart_radio=1pp=ygUJZnJlZSBiaXJkoAcB
  • The Longest Yard

    The Longest Yard

    this film is a football sports drama, which depicts men going through life in prison. Masculinity is manifested in competition, toughness and the redemptive force of the teamwork.
  • Scarface

    Scarface

    Tony Montana’s incredible rise and sad fall embodies hyper-masculinity through violence, ambition, and excess. The film critiques the destructive pursuit of dominance and material power.
  • Maradonas Hand of God

    In the FIFA World Cup of 1986, Diego Maradona finds any means necessary to get through England's Goalie land score late into the Semi-Final game, even if its by using his hand. This goal created tension and controversy around the goal at the time and still is talked of to this day.
    This shows that one of the legends of the sport would do whatever it takes to win. To compete and win by any means, showing leadership and grit.
  • Micheal Jordans Free Throw Line Dunk

    Micheal Jordans Free Throw Line Dunk

    Jordan’s iconic dunk symbolizes athletic supremacy and spectacle. Masculinity is expressed through physical excellence, dominance, and the pursuit of greatness.Walter Iooss Jr was the photographer of this iconic picture.
  • Pulp Fiction

    Pulp Fiction

    This film tells the tale of how a gangsters wife, two hit men, a boxer and a couple of delinquents cross paths in a bloody journey in Los Angeles California.
    The film touches on many subjects but the main theme is violence and masculinity. The language in this film is communicated through violence.
  • Pulp Fiction

    This film deals with two hit men, a boxer, two small time bandits/thieves, and a gangsters wife all crossing paths the same day, with the story going and forth on how they got to were they are in the film.
    The central language and theme of the film is violence, at the same time the characters show vulnerability through masked emotions in ways such as sarcasm or aggression.
  • Mandela Handing the Trophy

    This iconic photo was taken moments after South Africa defeated the New Zealand All Blacks in the world cup final hosted in South Africa in 1995. In the image we can see the president Nelson Mandela handing the trophy over to the South African captain Francois Pienaar. At the time this was huge for South Africa and their people.
  • Mandela Hand The Trophy

    Mandela Hand The Trophy

    In this photo we can see South African president Nelson Mandela hand over the trophy to South Africa's captain Fracois Pienaar after defeating the New Zealand All Black in the 1995 World cup final. This image is iconic due to how bad the country needed something like this to keep hopes alive and have faith in the people of South Africa.The iconic photo was taken by photographer David Turnley.