Tools of Characterization

Characterization in Skyfall

Actions

Whether someone is considered a good spy or a bad spy depends on that person's actions. In the film's opening sequence, Bond stops to try to save the life of a fellow spy. If we'd never heard of James Bond before, well, we'd have bigger problems, but we'd know he was the good guy based on this one act of kindness.

Silva, on the other hand, views everyone as expendable. In fact, in the end, he even views himself as expendable, begging M to end both their lives with one bullet. Oddly, this puts him and M in the same company, because she would sacrifice anyone—including herself—for the good of her country. Maybe that's why these two are such bitter enemies—they act almost the same, and neither one likes to see that in someone else.

Location

As a globetrotting super-spy, Bond appears comfortable being nomadic. He's a citizen of the world. Sure, he may be shooting people or punching them in the face a lot of the time, but he's a team player. He can blend into other cultures and get along with other people...if he has to.

Silva, though, is an isolationist. He lives on a deserted island, mostly off the grid—and only going on the grid when he wants to disrupt the world. Silva wants to change the world without actually being a part of it. Hmm...seems like he and M have that in common, too. She is also able to make great global changes without leaving the comfort of her own office. Except instead of technology, her tools are her agents.

Physical Appearances

Bond is a handsome super spy. Silva wants to be one, but he is actually a grotesque monster trying to be debonair. It isn't entirely his fault, though: he thinks that M made him this way, putting him in a position where he was forced to try to kill himself with a cyanide capsule. The cyanide permanently disfigured him, making him the Monster to M's Frankenstein. He is a monster she created, and defeating him is now her responsibility.

Speech and Dialogue

Bond is a man of few words. However, both M and Silva give long, dramatic speeches during the movie. They do this to put themselves in a position of authority. They have different versions of authority, of course: M's position was given to her by the government, while Silva's authority is an authority of his own making. The comparatively quiet Bond has strength, but no real authority, making him a pawn of both players in this deadly game.