Line #36 Main/VerticalPowerPlay


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wsngs4_0134_1.jpg]]
2	%%[[caption-width-right:350:Wolves making themselves bigger and smaller.]]
3
4	->''"Christian spends most of the scene standing ''over'' Ana; a straightforward power position. But with the turning point, he moves to the chair; brings himself down to Ana's level. So we have some visual power play."''
5	-->-- '''WebVideo/FoldingIdeas''', [[https://youtu.be/qzk9N7dJBec?si=tFW0LdSdpAYLrnMp&t=2111 "A Lukewarm Defence of Fifty Shades of Grey"]] about ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey''
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7	Height can be used to visually indicate power, both in the flavors of [[LargeAndInCharge authority]] and [[TallIsIntimidating intimidation]]. But sheer physical size is only part of the equation. Regardless of actual size, people can manipulate how they position themselves to ''appear'' taller or shorter. Making oneself appear taller is a power move; making oneself appear shorter is an expression of submission.
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9	This is a SuperTrope to kneeling, bowing, and genuflecting.
10
11	[[AC:[[SubTrope Sub-Tropes]]]]
12	[[index]]
13	* DynamicAkimbo: A bold pose, standing as tall as possible with elbows out to appear big
14	* IKissYourFoot: Bending down to kiss someone's foot is a sign of submission
15	* KneelBeforeFrodo: Kneeling in deference to a hero
16	* KneelBeforeZod: Kneeling in deference to a villain
17	* KneeFoldFallOfDefeat: A character folds in on themselves, shrinking, as they are defeated
18	* PoseOfSupplication: A character drops to their knees in supplication
19	* ShamefulShrinking: A character cowers in shame
20	[[/index]]
21
22	This behavior can be seen in other animals too, making it OlderThanDirt.
23
24	In SpeculativeFiction, {{Sizeshift\|er}}ing and {{Shapeshifting}} provide additional avenues for characters to contort their bodies and appear different.
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26	SisterTrope to TallIsIntimidating and LargeAndInCharge, where a character doesn't need to use positioning to appear bigger -- they just ''are'' bigger. This is their InvokedTrope version. Either can co-occur with this trope if an already tall person poses to accentuate that height even further.
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28	Compare DramaticHighPerching where positioning oneself up high is ''cool'', but not particularly ''powerful''.
29
30	----
31	!! Examples
32	[[foldercontrol]]
33
34	[[folder:Fan Works]]
35	* ''Fanfic/TheArchmagesLastBow'': During a trial in his own mind, Nova Shine finds himself face-to-face with a much harsher version of himself, who [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech lays into him about every way he's not fit to be the archmage]], and who caps it off by causing statues of all previous archmages to erupt from the ground, cover him in their shadows, and look down on him while he stands atop one of them.
36	* ''Fanfic/WithThisRing'': In Paul's audience with Zeus, who can essentially take on any form he wants, Paul notices that all the furniture in the room is sized for Zeus' current nine-foot-tall form. Paul sees it as just more evidence of pettiness, though.
37	[[/folder]]
38
39	[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
40	* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' uses superpowers to play with size and positioning. When married couple Helen and Bob are arguing over their son Dash's schooling situation, initially the much bigger and [[SuperStrength super-strong]] Bob uses his size to seem imposing. As the argument escalates, Helen uses her RubberMan powers to stretch and become taller than her husband.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
44	* ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture'': A RunningGag across the three films is that one of the Tannens will loom over Marty right after he's stood up to them. In ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartII'' in particular, Griff uses his bionic implants to make himself even taller during this confrontation.
45	* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing'': Denethor, the [[RegentForLife Steward]] of Gondor, is having a confrontation with Gandalf and Pippin, while he sits on his throne, embittered over [[OutlivingOnesOffspring the death of his son Boromir]]. The proud and stubborn Denethor rejects [[WizardClassic Gandalf's]] advice to ask for help from the neighbouring kingdom of Rohan, because Rohan is currently allied with Aragorn, the [[RightfulKingReturns rightful heir to the throne of Gondor]], and therefore, in Denethor's mind, Gandalf is trying to supplant him. When Gandalf sternly rebukes that Denethor has no authority to deny the return of the king, the furious Steward stands up, using the elevated position of his throne platform to make himself seem taller, and snarls back, "The rule of Gondor is '''[[SuddenlyShouting MINE]]!''' ''And no other's!!''" However, after a frustrated Gandalf leaves the room, Denethor slumps brokenly back into his throne, showing how, for all his bark, [[AuthorityInNameOnly Denethor doesn't have much bite]].
46	* ''Film/FiftyShadesOfGrey'': In the leads' first scene together, Ana is sitting in a very low chair. Christian is intermittently sitting in a taller desk chair, standing, and leaning against his desk. He's consistently taller, and to meet his eyes she has to look ''up'' at him. At the turning point in the scene -- a disarming moment in the conversation -- he comes and sits in a matching chair beside her, bringing them to the same level.
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder:Literature]]
50	* ''Literature/KeysToTheKingdom'': Status in the House has physical effects, including greater height. Arthur, as the Anointed Heir and the holder of a Key, has considerable authority in the House -- and is startled to find that when he pats someone on the head, they actually become shorter, diminishing their status and influence.
51	* ''Literature/TheTombsOfAtuan'': Arha is going to speak to her prisoner whom she increasingly cares for, but with whom she is trying to maintain a mask of danger and indifference. She makes a point to bring a stool so that she can be above him while they speak.
52	-->''She had brought down a little cross-leg folding stool of ivory, so that she would not have to stand while she questioned him, yet would not have to sit down on the floor, on his level.''
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
56	* ''Series/DoomPatrol2019'': In [[Recap/DoomPatrol2019S4E3FamePatrol "Fame Patrol"]], Dorothy (the shortest member of the cast) is frustrated that Cliff (the largest) is stubbornly refusing any help, even as it's clear that his robot body is losing its functionality. She takes advantage of his inability to climb a staircase and ascends the steps herself so that she's standing just over him, forcing him to acknowledge her.
57	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Height difference is one of Tywin Lannister's favorite power plays, as befits the [[DragonInChief de-facto authority in King's Landing]]. He memorably uses this in the episode [[Recap/GameOfThronesS3E10Mhysa "Mhysa"]]. [[TheCaligula Joffrey]] is seated on the throne, which is on a platform to allow the king to look down at the rest of the room. Tywin climbs the steps to bring him equal with the throne, and then looks down at Joffrey, who is [[MisterBig physically petite]], seated, and {{slouch\|OfVillainy}}ing. Tywin proceeds to effortlessly send the otherwise uncontrollable little PsychopathicManchild [[DeniedFoodAsPunishment to bed without his supper]].
58	* ''Series/GossipGirl2007'': AlphaBitch Blair holds court on a flight of stairs, where she sits on the top step and her followers sit below her.
59	* ''Series/HouseOfTheDragon'': In [[Recap/HouseOfTheDragonS1E4KingOfTheNarrowSea "King of the Narrow Sea"]], King Viserys tries to assert his authority over his irreverent BigLittleBrother Prince Daemon. This involves Daemon laying flat on the floor, a hungover mess, while Viserys literally stands over him and chastises him.
60	* ''Series/SpinCity'': Invoked in "The High And The Mighty." Mike invites a notoriously persuasive property developer into his office to conduct a deal. The developer notes Mike is using intimidation tactics the developer wrote about in a book, like turning the lights down to make himself look Satanic and aiming a letter opener at his heart. When the developer sits, we see Mike lowered his chair and raised his own to look more impressive.
61	** In a possible aversion, it's noted throughout the series that the mayor's impressive height is a constant problem with voters.
62	* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'': In the pilot episode [[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS01E01E02Emissary "Emissary"]], as the Federation takes control of the recently abandoned space station above Bajor, Commander Ben Sisko inspects his command post, and notes that it's set on an elevated platform. If Sisko wants to interact with his BridgeBunnies, he must descend five or six steps to do so.
63	-->'''Sisko:''' Set way up high, where everyone must look up to him. Typical Cardassian architecture.
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Video Games]]
67	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'': The normally proud Yotsuyu kneels in deference to the towering Zenos, the man who made her the acting viceroy of Doma. When he's displeased with her, he grabs her by the hair before threatening her with death if she yields Doma to the rebel forces. He looms over her while leaning down as she does this, making it clear who is holding the power in this conversation.
68	[[/folder]]
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70	[[folder:Web Comics]]
71	* ''Webcomic/JupiterMen'': In Episode 18, Quintin makes a lot of noise while trying to get Nathan's attention even though Nathan explicitly told him to keep it down. Nathan responds by leaning menacingly over Quintin and cowing him with a DeathGlare, making Quintin lower his voice to a whisper.
72	[[/folder]]
73
74	[[folder:Western Animation]]
75	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'': In [[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS1E9Ultimatum "Ultimatum"]], Giganta teases Long Shadow for being a "tiny" compared to her GiantWoman. He then {{sizeshift\|er}}s to be even larger than her.
76	-->'''Giganta:''' Oh, poop.
77	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': In [[Recap/TheLegendOfKorraS2E7BeginningsPartOne "Beginnings, Part 1"]], Wan, wandering the Spirit Wilds, almost steps on a small frog spirit by accident. Wan isn't very threatened by the angry frog until it shapeshifts into a form larger than him.
78	[[/folder]]
79
80	[[folder:Real Life]]
81	* When encountering a wild, possibly dangerous animal, people are generally advised to raise their arms up and appear as big as possible so that the animal will perceive them as dangerous and leave them alone.
82	* Social animals such as wolves often display dominance or submission by looming and cowering respectively.
83	* Adults sometimes crouch down when talking to children, in order to talk to them "on their level" both literally and metaphorically.
84	* Conversely, military officers may be taught to try and stand somewhere raised when addressing a group of subordinates, to convey authority. A politician who stands on a soapbox or the like to make an impromptu speech (that is, possibly, a LiteralSoapboxSpeech) is instinctively using the same trick.
85	[[/folder]]

Context Main / VerticalPowerPlay