Love your videos mate. Gladiator is an absolute classic, among my friends i think most of us would say its our favourite, not because its gory and action packed, although that helps, but because it strikes a chord at the very essence of being a man. Keep it up mate!
Maximus already knew 2 things. If he dies we will reunite with his family and if he lives he will get his revenge. Both of these things happened. As a commander/general of Marcus Aurelius, stoicism is his best weapon. "The best revenge is no to be like your Enemy" - Marcus Aurelius
I commented in your other video, taking more the viewpoint that it is not about "being a man" but "being a good human". The "Are you not entertained"-scene makes a good point for it, as it denounces the crowd for enjoying the killing of people. It is a moral judgement. It is not about sex, every human can live up to values.
I've really, really liked this 3-part series. I'd like to see more views of this, but then I'm reminded of the single pane comic of two tables: a huge queue to get to "Simple and Easy" and only one guy standing in front of "Hard but Worthwhile". I may be paraphrasing here, but you get the idea.
Where many men would've broken down and cried out how they used to be ontop, Maximus instead cradles what he has left and uses it to fight back to the top for justice and what's right
Good question! I think the latter. He wins the crowd and then reveals himself to the Emperor. Maybe word got around but he already had the crowd’s respect.