The metrosexual man as the contemporary Narcissus: the role of current discourse of advertising in the construction of the masculinity

Abstract

There are different definitions about the meaning of masculinity. On one hand, there are normative theories, which understand masculinity as men should be. On the other hand, semiotic approaches define it as non-femininity. Considering this second approach, it can be considered that femininity has evolved recently with society blurring the line between what is part of their role and what is not. From these renovated models of femininity, it could be argued the emergence of new and different masculinities such as the metrosexual man. It is in this particular kind of masculinity in which this research focuses, besides in how the narrative of that masculinity is constructed in the current advertising through the mythical figure of Narcissus. Thereby, after a literature review and a content analysis, the present study aims to analyze the influence of advertising in the emergence of metrosexual like new masculinity man as a result of the transformation of femininity. At the same time, it tries to confirm the presence of the figure of Narcissus as a resource in the construction of masculinity in today's advertising.