Braveheart :: essays research papers

Braveheart Braveheart is a realistic portrayal of the power struggle between England and Scotland. The film starts by showing William Wallace as a boy, losing his father to Edward the Longshanks, King of England. William Wallace leaves Scotland with his uncle to live with him. Years elapse and William Wallace returns to Scotland, the place of his birth, to take over his family’s farm. Wallace finds his childhood love, Marin, and marries her secretly. When one of the feudal lords kills Marin for striking a guard, Wallace then begins a revolt against the English. Wallace’s army of Scots march against the English armies time and again. Until William Wallace is captured by Robert the Bruce’s fathers plan and is sent to London before King Edward the Longshanks. Wallace faces trial for high treason from which he is found guilty. Wallace is then given the choice of confessing or being purified. To show his patriotism to Scotland Wallace chooses not to confess. Therefore Wallace experiences a slow, painful death as his last word â€Å"Freedom† still rings in the ears of the audience, as they cut his head off. The last scene in Braveheart is the battle between the English and Scottish armies where the Scots win their freedom. The theme for Braveheart is betrayal. It is shows all through the movie. The Princess Isabelle betrays her husband and country of marriage by helping and falling in love with William Wallace. Whereas it is the same when Robert the Bruce betrays William Wallace by giving his word to unite their clans against the English then turns to Edward the Longshanks for a title, land and more money. A final act of betrayal is that of father against son. The act is Robert the Bruce’s own father plans against this son and plays a part n getting William Wallace captured for the King. Two of the most interesting characters to analyze is Edward the Longshanks and the Princess of Wales. Edward the Longshanks seems to have no weakness. Though through the movie, in my opinion, I think he has one and that is underestimating William Wallace and Scotland.