The World of Wrestling

"The World of Wrestling"

Roland Barthes

In Roland Barthes essay, "The World of Wrestling", we dive into French amateur wrestling in the 1950's. Wrestling in this decade was not anything that it is that we think of now on television. Much of the wrestling was done in a much smaller scale. Barthes points to the idea that wrestling is comparable to the acts we see in theatre. While wrestling is a sport this type of wrestling is most often staged with a predetermined winner. Barthes compares wrestling to boxing pointing out the differences. A key difference is the juxtaposed meanings in each moment and how the viewer must find the meaning without think as much of who the winner may be. The winner in fact is not the most important spectacle of wrestling. Instead the emotions of each moment are what make wrestling. Barthes also points out the message that is being portrayed in each moment by the wrestler themselves. The emotion and gestures of the fighters are like the act in a theatre. Each wince and twisted expression draws emotions from the viewer. The final aspect of a wrestling match that Barthes explains is the spectacle of suffering, justice, and defeat. The crowd is yearning for a hero and villain story on the wrestling mat. Through the suffering of one opponent the crowd lets out cheers of approval as to let the fighter know they are on his side. With the finale of this show one opponent must accept defeat. The crowd yearns for this finale in that they will be given the show of justice upon the mighty villain in the math. Initially Barthes says that some think wrestling is not a sport. He explains that the audience is not interested in who might win the contest. instead they immerse themselves in the action and emotion of each moment. These are the reasons wrestling is so amusing.