Monday, February 11, 2013
Win Her Heart with “A Knight’s Tale”
“A Knight’s Tale” gave Heath Ledger his pretty boy reputation (OK, there was “10 Things I Hate About You,” but he was more bad boy roguish in that one). The peasant who wants to be a knight, the wavy blonde hair, and the English accent all add to a charm only Heath Ledger could have pulled off. Not only that, but his acting was top notch! Ledger plays William Thatcher, a squire who has no way to “climb the corporate ladder” so to speak. You might think this post is about his rise to stardom from the lowly ranks of a peasant. It’s not.
Although that’s all impressive, there’s a line spoken by Jocelyn in the movie that many may have missed.
“I would have him win my heart.”
Not, “I’m his and he’s mine.” It’s not a done deal for her. Instead it’s, “He has to work for my love. He is special, but still has to prove to me that he loves me.” This is unique in Hollywood. Usually it’s boy meets girl and then they fall in love. End of story. Yawn. Here, William masquerading as Ulrich Von Lichtenstein (what a mouthful!), must woo his love. There’s a chance for failure here. If he doesn’t play the game right, it’s, well, game over. In fact, he blunders quite a bit. He’s not the perfect romantic male figure we’re used to seeing. He says he’ll win a tournament for her, which doesn’t impress Jocelyn in the slightest. Then, while Jocelyn asks Ulrich out to a feast, he calls her a silly girl in frustration over losing. Then, as he tries to make amends with her, she asks him to lose jousts. Later, Chaucer (brilliantly played by Paul Bettany), points out Jocelyn sitting in the stands.
Chaucer: There she is, William. The embodiment of love. Your Venus.
William: And how I hate her.
His reply is a bit of comic relief as, actually, he’s willing to go great lengths for her. He learns that he’s willing to sacrifice his own agenda for her requests. It’s only then that she knows that he’s the knight for her. It’s only then that she knows that what he does is not more important than who she is. She’s chosen as the top priority, not as another “win” in the tournament of life.
This attaining Jocelyn as another “win” in life is Adhemar’s philosophy, and it doesn’t get him the girl in the end. It’s interesting to see how Adhemar attacks Will’s heart by trying to take his hope away. He does this by saying that “Ulrich” will never be with Jocelyn because Adhemar will marry her. This is a test, and often the way a hero is assaulted. Take away the hero’s goals or aspirations by hitting him where he can be hurt the most- his heart through the woman of his dreams.
However, like any good Hollywood film, Will triumphs over Adhemar, gets the girl, and is knighted. Not only does he win her heart, his heart is strengthened in the process and all is well. And they lived happily ever after.
The end.
Chaucer: There she is, William. The embodiment of love. Your Venus.
William: And how I hate her.
His reply is a bit of comic relief as, actually, he’s willing to go great lengths for her. He learns that he’s willing to sacrifice his own agenda for her requests. It’s only then that she knows that he’s the knight for her. It’s only then that she knows that what he does is not more important than who she is. She’s chosen as the top priority, not as another “win” in the tournament of life.
This attaining Jocelyn as another “win” in life is Adhemar’s philosophy, and it doesn’t get him the girl in the end. It’s interesting to see how Adhemar attacks Will’s heart by trying to take his hope away. He does this by saying that “Ulrich” will never be with Jocelyn because Adhemar will marry her. This is a test, and often the way a hero is assaulted. Take away the hero’s goals or aspirations by hitting him where he can be hurt the most- his heart through the woman of his dreams.
However, like any good Hollywood film, Will triumphs over Adhemar, gets the girl, and is knighted. Not only does he win her heart, his heart is strengthened in the process and all is well. And they lived happily ever after.
The end.
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