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Edgar Allen Poe was one of the authors frowned
upon because his talent of writing was based on bringing out the fears and deep
suspense of which a single person can barely hold on to.
“Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore’” take into account the essence of this single
phrase used in Poe’s writing, so simple; and yet so strategically placed as to
pull the reader deeper and farther into Poe’s own imagination; as to for just a
moment cause the reader to be Poe, see as Poe, think as Poe, and for even
shorter a moment experience the fear and enthrallment that Poe faces while
writing his novels.
Braveheart vs. William Wallace
The movie Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson and released in 1995, is an epic
tale about a Scottish hero named William Wallace. The movie is exceptionally
accurate when compared with other historical movies. However, changes have been
made to make the film more entertaining and romantic. Despite some minor
historical glitches, Braveheart is wonderfully composed and really gives the
viewer a good idea of what living in Scotland in the 13th-14th centuries would
have been like.
Braveheart starts out with a young William Wallace whose father, a Scottish
patriot, is killed by the English. He comes back to the village of his birth
when he is much older. There, he meets Murron who he knew from his childhood.
They get married. An English Sheriff kills Murron. Wallace kills the Sheriff
and proceeds to fight many more battles with the assistance of his fellow
patriots. He has an affair with the Princess of Wales, Isabella, and fathers
her child. The King of England, Edward I, executes him (Braveheart, movie).
Language:
The movie Braveheart is almost entirely in English. The Scottish nobles, rebels
and peasants as well as the English soldiers and royalty all speak English.
Princess Isabella, her lady in waiting and Wallace were the only exceptions.
Isabella, when speaking to her lady, spoke entirely French. Wallace displayed
his knowledge of both French and Latin at various points all the way through
the movie. All of the Scottish characters, including Wallace, displayed
delightful Scottish accents throughout the entirety of the production (Braveheart,
movie).
One of the major differences between reality and the motion picture was very
obvious from the beginning. Language. Scottish people of that particular time
period, 13th-14th centuries, would not have spoken English. Rather, the
uneducated people would be speaking their native Gaelic, and educated Scotsman
would have been speaking either Gaelic or Latin (Braveheart, commentary). The
real William Wallace did know English, French, Gaelic, and Latin, but one finds
it hard to believe that he would have spoken much beyond Gaelic around his
uneducated countryman (Campbell, 1). The rest of the characters, with the
exception of Princess Isabella and her lady in waiting, also spoke English in
the movie. Again, the Scottish would have been speaking Gaelic in reality, but
the Englishmen would have still spoken English. The reason for this inaccuracy
is understandable. If the producer, Mel Gibson, would have required all of the
Scottish and Irish characters in the movie to have spoken Gaelic or Latin, it
would have taken an extremely long time for the actors to learn not only the
lines, but their translation. Those actors which weren’t already fluent in
Gaelic would have had to learn the translation in an effort to have performed
with emotion and feeling. It’s hard to act out words that have no meaning to
the actor. Another downfall to a film almost entirely in Gaelic was its
audience. The audience for this production was for the most part English
speaking. This fact alone would have called for subtitles. Not only are
subtitles more expensive for the producer, they also make the picture less
enjoyable for its patrons (Braveheart, commentary). This inaccuracy of language
can, however be forgiven. The language was changed for one simple reason, to
make the movie more suitable for its viewers.
Characters:
William Wallace
The main character in Braveheart, William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson, starts
out life wanting nothing to do with the turmoil that his country was facing.
However, has he grew older, and after the murder of his wife, Murron, played by
Catherine McCormak, he finds the hero within himself and joins up with his
fellow Scotsmen to fight for Scottish freedom. He is extremely successful in
battle, and become notorious for showing no mercy to the lives of the English.
He slaughters them with casual fray. After he loses a battle, he is captured by
the English and taken to the castle of King Edward I. There he is tried for
treason, hanged, drawn, and beheaded. Also during his life, he has an affair
with Princess Isabella, and is the father of her baby. This makes for a very
suspense filled production, but is not entirely truthful (Braveheart, movie).
The real William Wallace was born in Scotland, and lived in a small village. He
was the son of a nobleman who was killed by English soldiers for opposing their
force in Scotland (Campbell, 1). Wallace leaves with his uncle to receive an
education. Upon his arrival, he is reunited with Murron, and marries her. The
Sheriff of Lanark kills her soon after. In reality, he was also a passionate
Scottish patriot. Up until this part of the movie, it is remarkably accurate in
its portrayal of Wallace. Princess Isabella’s affair with Wallace was
completely inaccurate however. Wallace wasn’t even alive when she was married
to the Prince (Trial 2). The section of the movie where Wallace is executed is
also very realistic except for the part where the Princess tells the King that
she is carrying Wallace’s child. The screenwriter, Randall Wallace, no doubt
wrote in this fictitious part of the story to and yet another flair of romance
into the film (Braveheart, commentary).
Robert (I) the Bruce
Robert Bruce, played by Angus MacFayden, is a very confused character from the
beginning. He is aware that his title brings with it, certain obligations, but
he is also mindful of his duty to the people he serves. He swears to Wallace
that he will fight with the Scottish, but doesn’t show up to the battle. At the
same time, a mysterious man whose face is hidden by a helmet is fighting along
side the King. When Wallace later goes after the King, the helmeted man knocks
him off of his horse. The man’s mask is removed, and it is Robert Bruce. He has
betrayed his friend. Bruce changes his mind, and invites Wallace to a meeting
with him where Wallace is tricked and captured. Bruce takes up arms with
Wallace’s army and defeats the English at the battle of Bannockburn
(Braveheart, movie).
In my research, I was unable to find much information about Robert Bruce. I did
find documentation that he was a friend of Wallace’s, and shared similar
political interests. Bruce also led Wallace’s army in their victory at the
Battle of Bannockburn (M. Campbell, 7). He was later crowned King of Scotland
(Robert 1).
Edward I
The character of Edward I, played by Patrick McGoohan, is the King of England.
From the very beginning, he is portrayed as evil and a tyrant. In the
introduction of the movie, they even go as far as to call him a “ruthless
pagan” (Braveheart, movie). At no time in the film is the King seen showing
mercy to anyone or anything. He beats his son, and goes as far killing his
son’s lover. He kills innocent people, and displays no regard for human life.
Money, land, and power seem to dominate his life. Unfortunately, he abuses his
power, and steps on many people to get what he desires, which is rule over much
of Europe (Braveheart, movie). In real life, these accusations are a mystery.
My research concluded that Edward I was a King known for building lavish
castles, not for killing and tyranny (Prestwick, 5). Edward I did rule over
Scotland, and was a part of the warfare. However, the manner in which he
conducted himself and his army still remains unknown.
Princess Isabella
In the production, Braveheart, Princess Isabella is first introduced when she
is seen marrying Edward II, Prince of Wales. She is later sent to negotiate
with William Wallace regarding the Scottish rebellions. She falls in love with
him. Ultimately, she ends up having an affair with Wallace. And at the end of
the movie, she is carrying his child. She tells the King about her pregnancy
just minutes before his death, and she swears that Edward II will not rule
England for long (Braveheart, movie).
The role of Princess Isabella in the film, Braveheart, is entirely fictional.
She was not even married to Edward II until two to three years after Wallace’s
execution (M. Campbell, 12). Her affair with Wallace does make for a
wonderfully romantic tale; however, it’s just not accurate.
The movie Braveheart was, for the most part, accurate. Some minor changes were
made mainly to fill in gaps in the tale that have been lost throughout history.
Modifications to the original story were necessary for the viewer would be able
to enjoy the movie, and get a real feel for what it would have really been like
to be William Wallace.
Works Cited
Archer, Ed. William Wallace – A Blow for Freedom. 1998. Biggar-net. 5 Dec. 2001
Braveheart. Dir. Mel Gibson. Perf. Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick
McGoohan, Catherine McCormak, and Angus MacFayden. Paramount, 1995.
Campbell, Melanie. The History Behind Braveheart. 16 Aug. 1996. 22 Jan. 2002
Campbell, Roy. Sir William Wallace. Electric Scotland. 5 Dec. 2001
electricscotland.com/ history.wallace.htm>.
Edward I. 1 Jan. 2000. Electric Library. 26 Nov. 2001
edumark/getdoc.cgi>.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. “Despenser, Hugh Le.” EBSCO
Publishing. 23 Jan. 2002
Gillingham, John. Sir William Wallace. 2000. Electric Library. 26 Nov. 2001
www.elibrary.com/s/edumark/getdoc.cgi>.
National Wallace Monument. Impressions. 5 Dec. 2001
castles/castle_8.shtml>.
Prestwick, Michael. "The Art of Kingship: Edward I, 1272-1307."
History Today. May
1985: 34-40
“Robert (I) the Bruce (1274-1329).” The Hutchinson Dictionary of British
History. 1
Jan. 1998. Electric Library. 26 Nov. 2001
getdoc.cgi>.
The Trial of William Wallace. Duhaime.org. 5 Dec. 2001
-wall.htm>.