The Epic and Braveheart

Mushafau Ade Kukoyi
ENG1601
The Epic and Braveheart
06-14-05


1. The first similarity in the structure of the epic poem and in Braveheart is that the narrative patterns are both from an omniscient point of view. The narrator seems to have a complete knowledge of everything that happens in the narrative, including facts about physical location, the history of the society and all the characters’ action and thoughts.

The second similarity is the primary conflict that holds the two stories where the setting of a protagonist in person of William Wallace in Braveheart and Beowulf in the epic poem and the antagonist as reflected in the characters of Edward of England in Braveheart and the Monsters in the epic poem.

The third similarity in both the epic poem and Braveheart was that the setting which were both realistic and true reflection of the time in history from which both stories where written. This can be noted in the physical setting which includes the high mountains, forest, castle, battlefield etc. that were realistic settings in those days. Including the temporary settings, which reflected the time period - season of the year and time of day, length of time and perspective of time as explained by both narrators.

2. One example of myth found in Braveheart was the myth of fall as noticed with the death of William Wallace.

One example of legend in Braveheart was Wallace’s avenge of the death of his beloved wife.

One example of a folktale in Braveheart is the story about the oppression of the Scottish people by the English monarch for many years, was relayed from generations to generations in a narrative folktale pattern that has been part of the Scottish history and traditional tales for years.

3. Braveheart encompassed aspects of the epic in the following elements:
The characterization pattern was similar in the scene that even though the main characters in both Braveheart and the epic poem were human, they assume supernatural figures.

The choice of language in both the epic poem and Braveheart was fashioned in a way that reflected the character’s background, attribute and traits at the same time using complicated language device that requires concentrated thoughts in diction and elaborate figure of speech.

The themes in Braveheart encompassed in epic poem include honor, loyalty, self-sacrifice, commitment and freedom.

4. Some of the qualities that makes William Wallace an epic hero are as follows:
The willingness of Wallace to die for the sake of freedom for his people and not compromising even at the point of death.

The ability to challenge the great English army despite their military strength and might at numerous battleground against the Scottish.

The decision to avenge the death of his wife alone with or without the support is his countrymen.

5. One of the themes in Braveheart suggested that bravery requires self-sacrifice. This theme implies that freedom is all about self-sacrifice and people should be willing to die for what they believe in. This was more evident in the battle scene when the English army intimidated the Scottish army and their noble lords were willing to negotiate and retreat from the battle. Until Wallace came around and challenged his countrymen with motivating words that the cost of freedom is priceless.
“Sons of Scotland, in defiance of terror you have came out to fight as free men and free men you are…Fight you may die, run you live for a while…. They may take your lives, but they will never take your freedom.”