Laura Mulvey continued

Agency

In classical Hollywood films the male protagonist has "agency" meaning that he is active and powerful. He is the agent which the dramatic action unfolds around him. The female character is always passive and powerless - she is the object of desire for the protagonist and audience.

Erotic Desire

Laura Mulvey argues that women have two roles in film and cinema:

1. As an object of erotic desire for the other characters
2. As an object of erotic desire for the audience