The character of "M" in Casino Royale and Skyfall. Authority figure or maternal role?

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 2,0, Ruhr-University of Bochum (Englisches Seminar), course: The Post-9/11 Bond films, language: English, abstract: In this paper, the character M, played by Judi Dench, in the latest Bond films will be examined. In particular her role in Casino Royale and Skyfall will be analysed. The underlying question of this analysis is whether M is just an authority figure to Bond or if she takes on a maternal role. First, the term ¿authority¿ will be defined. After that, the differences between male and female authority will be accentuated and questioned. In the fourth paragraph, the maternal role will be further examined to better understand what it means. After that, the analysis of M will begin. First, the character in Casino Royale will be analysed. After that, her role in the movie Skyfall will be examined. After analysing her role in these movies, I will conclude on whether M is an authority figure or if she takes on a maternal role in these movies.

Casino Royale (2006) marks a new chapter in the James Bond saga. Judi Dench has been playing M since Golden Eye (1995), but with Casino Royale a new Double-0 agent, Daniel Craig, entered the field. Before that Judi Dench as M has always been interacting with Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. "As in Ian Fleming¿s book series, Casino Royale is a prequel and presents the origin story of James Bond". James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, has just received his 00 status which marks the start of the movie.

Skyfall (2012) is a contrast to Casino Royale, because Judi Dench as M plays a much bigger role in it. It is her last film in this role. As James Chapman describes it in his book ¿Licence To Thrill¿ Daniel Craig in his role as Bond has always been "controlled by female authority" and this era will end with Skyfall. Partly already in Casino Royale, but increasingly in Skyfall M leaves her role as a pure authority person. According to Hobbs the film is "centrally concerned with M" because M is facing a battle that is primarily directed against her.