Medieval World in Film: An Analysis of 'A Knight's Tale' (History)

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the movie 'A Knight's Tale,' examining its portrayal of the Middle Ages. The author explores the film's historical accuracy, anachronisms, and cinematic techniques. The essay discusses the film's setting, characters, and plot, highlighting deviations from historical norms, such as the inclusion of classic rock music and the portrayal of characters like William Thatcher and Geoffrey Chaucer. The analysis covers aspects like the costumes, social dynamics, and the overall image of the medieval period presented to the audience. The author concludes that while the film attempts to entertain, it often deviates from an accurate representation of the medieval era, offering a blend of historical elements with modern influences. The essay uses references to support its arguments, providing a well-rounded evaluation of the film's strengths and weaknesses in its depiction of the medieval world.

Running head: Middle ages and modern world
Middle ages and modern world
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

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Q. Choose one (fictional) medievalist film and evaluate what image of the Middle Ages the film
presents to its audience - A Knight's Tale.
Introduction
The Knight’s Tale which falls under the genre of American medieval adventure-comedy
is exclusively set in the timeframe of middle age. The story was narrated in anachronistic style
along with modern references which is one of the most significant characteristics that
medievalist films contain (French, 2018). Thus the essay will highlight the images of middle
ages which the film presents to its audience. While elaborating the images of the middle ages,
several aspects will be discussed in relation with the middle ages. The entire discussion will be
followed by a summarization of the important aspects in the movie.
Discussion
Before starting the discussion, it deserves mention that film took place in the setting of
middle age. The one of the major features of middle ages on which the entire course of the
events of the movie is based on is the persistent battle among dynastic royal families in order to
achieve hierarchical superiority (French, 2018). On the other hand, the entire story of The
Knight’s Tale which is a work of fiction is set sometimes earlier than the time period in which it
had been drafted. To be more specific, the movie was narrated in medieval England. However,
the story is all about the ancient Greece and people. Hence, it can be seen that the film has
covered the most significant aspect of medievalist movie since the above mention aspect of
medieval version of what is popularly known as historical fiction (Hauser, 2005). However, the
incorporation of classic rock music shows the movie’s complete deviation of medieval films.

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Upon the very opening of the movie along with its chronology, casting of the characters
and costumes, a poor misconstrue is seen which took over the historical essence of the movie
making it a mere blockbuster. A lot of aspects of middle age were completely ignored by the
director Brian Helgeland while making the film. For instance, the squalor as well as poverty
during the time of middle age was overlooked (French, 2018). In addition, another aspect of
Christianity which is large considered to be a driving force in Europe was not seen in the movie
where as aspects like war and plague which are predominant themes of middle age were given
less importance while portraying in the movie (Hauser, 2005). The Knight’s Tale as the name
suggests is about a group of peasants who are headed by William Thatcher (played by Heath
Ledger).William’s Lord is seen to be died by taking too many hits to the head jousting. After that
William makes decision to start jousting in his master’s stead while putting on the armor of his
master. However, unlike the middle age, when lord would show up after achieving victory,
William received only the cash and other reward for winning. Even after winning the
tournament, William continued to joust to gain more money along with Roland and Wat training
him (Hauser, 2005). After the time of training session, William, Wat and Roland on their way to
attending the next tournament they encountered two characters and one among them is the
historical character Geoffrey Chaucer (Hauser, 2005). William and his trainers decided the
character named Geoffrey Chaucer to appoint as the writer of writ. Since then, William was
addressed as the Ulrich Von Liechtenstein of Gelderland. Again the deviation of from the
characteristics of the medievalist films since there was no place named Gelderland in Middle age
(French, 2018).
On the other the costumes of each of the characters was as accurate as the style of
dressing of the people of middle age. The noblemen as well as women were seen to be wearing

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satin, silk dresses that are colorful, whereas the peasants were seen wearing bland colored
dresses like off white, grey, brown, beige and so on (French, 2018). Thus, surprisingly, the
whole movie adopted the accurate middle age dress code unlike the song and other factors.
As the movie progresses and the events of the movie slowly unfold, it is seen to have
been suffering from the never ending narrative of the story which leaves audience into boredom
with the events of the movie (Hauser, 2005). However, some might argue that the movie made
an attempt to break the stereotype of medieval movie genre by a classic sound rock setting. Even
though it is argued that the movie breaks the norms of medieval genre, a large number of
deviations can be spotted which is capable to mark the movie non-medievalist.
Thus, from the above analysis, it can be stated that despite of having some sword fighting
scenes, the movie has very less accurate images from which audiences can get an idea of middle
age (Hauser, 2005). Except of the dress code which was perfectly crafted historically according
the dressing norms and styles of middle age, there is hardly any scenes can be spotted with
accurate medieval setting. However, the movie made an attempt of adopting the middle age
setting to amuse the audience (French, 2018). Apart from the technicalities and accuracy, a
viewer can be enjoying the romance in a historical setting along with the soundtrack by Queen.
Conclusion
Hence, in order to conclude, it is justify stating that the film the knight’s tale partly falls
under the genre of American medieval adventure-comedy is exclusively set in the timeframe of
middle age. There are many errors seen in the whole movie and the most significant of them is
the improper accent of the characters. The entire story was told in anachronistic tone along with
modern references which is one of the most significant characteristics that medievalist films

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contain. Thus the essay threw light on the images of middle ages which the film presents to its
audience. While elaborating the images of the middle ages, several aspects will be discussed in
relation with the middle ages and it has been found from the analysis, that there are many lack of
proper portrayal of medievalist film characteristics. Some of the images might confuse a viewer
thinking whether those aspects are proper adoption or not.

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References
French, P. (2018). A Knight's Tale. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/sep/02/philipfrench
Hauser, A. (2005). Social History of Art, Volume 4: Naturalism, Impressionism, The Film Age.
Routledge.