
Within Beyoncé’s music video of Formation, her most intimidating and independent character is the one dressed in the southern black Chanel dress with the black, vintage hat. This version of Beyoncé has been created to represent feminine power and strength. The color scheme and angle of the camera shot are used in order to emphasize this character’s confidence and power. There are also the versions of her dressed in different attire, which are meant to express feminine sexuality and unity. Through the use of many different characters, Beyoncé is able to allow for the acceptance of being a woman who can embrace all aspects of feminism.  

We see this intimidating version of Beyoncé within the first fifteen seconds of the video. This is a very close shot in which we can only see her from her shoulders up; it is a very intimate frame. From what we can see, Beyoncé is dressed in a black dress with moderate coverage. The large brim of her black hat is covering her eyes so the only visual of her face is her lips. From what we can see of her pursed darkly colored lips, we can only imagine that her facial expression is very serious. Beyoncé has silver jewelry concealing the entirety of her neck and chest. She also has two long braids draped down the front of her shoulders. Behind her stand two men dressed in formal suits; like Beyoncé, they are refusing to make eye contact with the camera lens as they stare passed it with a blank expression on their faces. 

The hat Beyoncé wears plays a very important role through this scene and much of the video. Beyoncé is using it as an excuse to not make eye contact with the audience. Along with concealing her sexuality in this scene, by covering her eyes she is concealing her identity. This creates a somewhat troublesome yet inquisitive feeling within the reader as it reestablishes her superiority in the situation. The camera angle also stresses her importance and power. It is a bug-eyed-view; we are looking up at her and these two men standing behind her who are dressed in elegant black attire. The achromatic colors, specifically the color black, that she as chosen to surround herself with are an important part to creating the visual tone. Generally, the color black is associated with mystery, elegance, and fear. It encapsulates everything that she wants the viewer to feel through this character. Beyoncé is portrayed as a powerful, strong female, which was her goal when deciding to wear black. She stands in a power stance in front of these men to show that she is no lesser than them and if anything is superior. The purpose of this character is to represent feminine strength and confidence and that is achieved perfectly. 

Compared to the version of Beyoncé in black where she is trying to conceal her sexuality and identity, when Beyoncé wears the red body suit she is trying to embrace it. She is wearing a leotard that is tight, very low cut, and shows a lot of leg. Beyoncé is also wearing black mesh stockings and tall black pumps. The way she dances is much more fluid and provocative then the subtle moves she makes when in black. Four other similarly dressed women also surround her this time, not men, and they are all dancing together. She is using the power of other sexually confident women to help aid her.  She is also no longer attempting to escape eye contact with the audience and is now embracing it. As she does this, the mystery that surrounded her when in black starts to fade. 

The version of Beyoncé in red is made to provide a contrast the version of Beyoncé in black. When in black Beyoncé attempts to remain a mystery; she wishes to create uneasiness for the audience while they cower under her righteousness. But when in red, Beyoncé is flaunting her womanhood. This is a version of Beyoncé that the general public is much more familiar with and could be considered Beyoncé’s “true self”. She wishes to reemphasize the importance of feminine power but does so in a different way. Beyoncé has these two different versions of herself to prove that it’s possible to be both. It is possible to be a strong, serious woman while still embracing the power of her own body and feminism. The combination of these two characters proves that it is possible for women to be both powerful while embracing their sexuality. 

There is yet another version of Beyoncé that is a crucial component to this ideal woman that is being created. The scene in which Beyoncé is dressed in a jean jacket and shorts has been inserted to show feminine unity. All the female dancers are wearing different jean apparel with heels. Their attire is very casual and relatable for the average person since they could easily picture themselves in the same articles of clothing. The women are also dancing in what looks to be a run down shopping center’s parking lot. Again the place setting of the dancers is making this specific segment very familiar to the average person. Beyoncé created this scene to allow other women to connect with her on an even deeper level. The familiarity of the people and the setting allows one to put them within this specific scenario. Compared to the other two scenes, which are more personal to Beyoncé, this one is relatable to almost everyone. 

Through the combination of these three characters, Beyoncé has found a way to express the three most important aspects she sees in herself. There is a very sexually confident side of her that is portrayed in red. There is a mysterious, independent side in which she dressed in a black gown. Then there is a much more normal side of Beyoncé in jeans.  She chose to include this version of herself in order to allow the general audience to create a deeper, more personal connection to the video. This video is a combination of multiple different versions of Beyoncé and they all serve the purpose to express the acceptance of being a strong, sexually confident woman.  