The Bond codename theory deserves legitimate consideration
Or: what would Roland Barthes say about James Bond being brainwashed?
There is nothing wrong with believing James Bond is a codename theory. I’ve seen it called “the flat earth theory of James Bond,” which is funny but unfair.
I first wrote about the James Bond codename theory in 2011., on my website What Would Bale Do. This was pre-Skyfall, post-Quantum of Solace. I wrote about it in the form of a hypothetical movie that Christian Bale should make, suggesting that Skyfall would be a prime opportunity to reveal that James Bond is a codename and has been a codename the entire time.
Obviously, this didn’t happen.
For many fans, Skyfall unfortunately became the end of belief and has been wrongly upheld as “proof” that the James Bond codename theory could work.
I suggest Roland Barthes as the next James Bond.
Instead, I’d like to insist that James Bond is a codename. I see there being three major pieces of evidence:
The films themselves, including and especially Skyfall
“The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes
My other writing on this topic.
The film themselves
Skyfall is best viewed as an affirmation of the codename theory, not a rejection of it. I don’t want to repeat myself ad nauseum here so I’m going to direct you to go read my other blog post on this. If you don’t want to read that, you can read something Looper wrote on it that, as far as I can tell, is a rip off of my original blog post.
SPECTRE and No Time to Die continue to affirm the brainwashed James Bond codename theory, mostly through the reveal that Hans Landa is Blofeld in his wink-at-the-camera reveal that yes, John Harrington and Khan are the same guy and always have been.
“The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes and its relevance to fan theorism
I don’t think you can be a fan theorist without reading Barthes. And I’m the only one who thinks this. Go read this article Harry Potter and the Secret Gay Love Story on The Paris Review, where James Frankie Thomas explains how Barthes made it okay for Harry Potter fans to insist that, yes, Professor Lupin and Sirius Black were lovers.
As much as fans seem to control the world these days, I think a more Barthesian view is still needed. Things are treated as canon or retcon or unofficial, instead of us having more comfort in the gray area of a reader’s (or viewer’s) interpretation.
We’ve lost the ability to absorb a story and then bring our own opinions and perspectives into it. Instead, we desire stories with zero subtext or, when we can’t have that, we seek explainers from the author or from other ostensibly credible entities. There are entire websites dedicated to explaining things: endings, character motivations, differences between books and movies.
This is why what I call fan speculation has seemingly surpassed fan theories and has in many cases co-opted the name “fan theory” itself.
Now that I’ve said all of this, please go read my original fan theory on What Would Bale Do.
Now that you’ve made it this far, you can read the original terrible slopwash I previously published on this subject. The rest of this is what was live on this site for the last 3+ years.
This article is part of my ongoing series, where I use the machines to rewrite content (and create images) for content I’ve previously written on another site. Go check out my other article to learn to answer your question: is james bond a code name? Everything that follows is from the machine.
James Bond has been a cultural icon for over half a century, and during that time, fans have developed various theories about his true identity. One of the most popular of these theories is the James Bond Codename Theory. According to this theory, "James Bond" is not the name of one individual, but rather a codename used by a succession of agents. This theory has gained traction over the years and has been the subject of much debate among Bond fans.
The image given to me by DALL-E when I asked for “an image of james bond looking cool but there is more than one james bond in the image”
The Origin of the James Bond Codename Theory:
The James Bond Codename Theory was first proposed by Kingsley Amis, a noted Bond scholar and author, in his book "The James Bond Dossier" (1965). Amis argued that the James Bond character was too iconic and too easily recognizable to be the name of one individual. He suggested that "James Bond" was a codename used by a series of agents, each taking on the persona of the legendary spy.
Evidence Supporting the Codename Theory:
There is a significant amount of evidence to support the James Bond Codename Theory. For example, in the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969), George Lazenby's Bond visits the grave of his wife, Tracy. On the tombstone, the name reads "Tracy Bond." If "James Bond" was the name of one individual, then his wife would also have the last name of Bond. However, this is not the case, which suggests that "James Bond" is a codename.
Another nightmarish variant of an image of james bond looking cool but there is more than one james bond in the image
Further Evidence Supporting the Codename Theory:
Other evidence supporting the James Bond Codename Theory includes the fact that Bond has been portrayed by multiple actors over the years, each bringing their unique interpretation to the character. Additionally, in the novels, Bond's physical appearance and backstory change from book to book, further indicating that he is a codename rather than a single individual.
One more.
Arguments Against the Codename Theory:
Despite the evidence supporting the James Bond Codename Theory, there are some who remain unconvinced. One argument against the theory is that it is difficult to reconcile with the continuity of the Bond films. If "James Bond" is a codename, then how do we explain the character's relationships with recurring characters such as M and Q? However, supporters of the theory argue that these relationships could be explained by the fact that the "real" James Bond established these connections early in his career, and subsequent agents have maintained them.
Perhaps the least nightmarish variant in this list.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the James Bond Codename Theory is a compelling and well-supported hypothesis that adds an additional layer of intrigue to the already enigmatic character of James Bond. While there are arguments against the theory, the evidence in support of it is significant and worth considering. Whether or not you believe that "James Bond" is a codename, there is no denying the lasting impact that the character has had on popular culture.