Part 7/14:
300’s portrayal of gender and sexuality also draws controversy. The film features a highly sexualized depiction of Queen Gorgo and Xerxes, the latter portrayed as a god-king with overtly homoerotic overtones. Critics argue that these images perpetuate homophobic stereotypes—particularly, the idea that homosexuality, especially in a dominant or aggressive context, is unnatural or threatening. Zack Snyder has been criticized for including these elements without acknowledging their potential fallacies or harmful implications, which some see as an unconscious reinforcement of dated gender stereotypes.