Essay, Research Paper: Braveheart

Medieval Society has had much of a affect on society today. For example, many movies
have been based off the Middle Ages and the society there. One of the greatest movies
that took place in the Middle Ages was Braveheart. Mel Gibson, most likely best movie,
had a great affect on society today. It tought many people of what it was like back in the
1300's.
First of all, Braveheart was a movie about the early Scottish people. The main
character, William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson, is part of a rebel family towards the
King. Edward the Longshanks is a selfish king and not a lot of people like him. Only the
ones that work for him. As Williams father fails at getting the Scottish their freedom,
William follows in his fathers footsteps and he begins his long quest to make Scotland free
once and for all, along with the assistance of Robert the Bruce. Other assistance comes
from his friends Hamish and Stephan. Can William Wallace get Scotland their freedom.
The rise of a town can be an impossible thing to accomplish for many. This
includes being a good leader and having certain characteristics. For example, you
leadership must be fair to all that you represent. A group of rebellions can come just like
that if you are not fair to them. Feeding, clothing, and other things must all be provided.
Plus, protection is needed in case of invasion by other countries. This would require
training your people with weapons and teaching them how to defend themselves and be
brave when told to "CHARGE!"�
Another characteristic of your town to rise to the top is having good relationships
with surrounding countries. You have to be able to have another country join you in case
of battle. If there is a war and everyone hates you, you and your people will get killed not
only by the other countries but by your country too.
There was a definite rise of the town is Scotland. It was William Wallace who
made this happen. He was the leader and he did everything a leader should do. As said, a
rise of the town means your people should have courage when said to "charge."� Wallace
led many charges and nobody backed down. Everyone was also well prepared and had the
knowledge to fight and how to defend themselves. With it they won that battle and many
others. Wallace's people also looked up to him in every way. He was like a role model to
them. Everything he did was just fine for the people. Wallace had co-leaders, kind of, too.
Hamish and Stephan would help William out a lot. Scotsmen also looked up to them too.
Those three helped make it all happen.
There weren't much use of nice homes back in the Middle ages. The very wealthy
had houses like an average one today and some very wealthy people had the same size
house but much nicer on the inside. They had thrones, pictures, messages, signs, etc.
Much of this stuff, however, wasn't used in Braveheart. An average person would
sleep on the ground at night and others would just never sleep at all. Even Wallace didn't
have a home. Him, Hamish, and Stephan had separate tents. The very wealthy, like Robert
the Bruce, had only a house that would look like a shack today. The inside was all dusty
or creaky. However, this was actually considered to be pretty rich back then.
Another characteristic is what people thought of their opposing leaders. In the
Middle Ages everyone thought of their opposing leaders like expected. Selfish, dirty,
pieces of ----. It was everyone's goal to be able to kill the hated leader.
In the movie, everyone hated William Wallace that were on King Edwards side. In
the end, when Wallace was captured, everyone was spitting and throwing stuff at him
since he killed so many of the people of their country. Everyone swore at him, and at least
tried to curse him. Wallace looked like he didn't care and had, maybe, expected it coming.

One last characteristic of the Middle Ages was how the leaders alone acted. No
one really had a "brave heart."� A lot of them were just lazy and selfish with a lot of
money. Some leaders didn't even know what a leader meant or what they had to do. They
were just there. For example, Jon Lackland was leader once in the Middle Ages and he
lost all of the land that his mother had passed down to him in a matter of years. It just
shows that a lot leaders back them were very messed up.
Even though it was just a movie, Wallace was probably the best leader of that
time. As said, a lot of leaders are selfish and don't think much of their people. At the very
end when Wallace was about to get killed, he showed that he wanted his people to have
their freedom that they deserved. A deal was offered to William from the king. Just say the
word "MERCY!"� and all the pain will stop and he would die a painless death. As Wallace
was going through his torture even the people that hated him were chanting for him to say
"mercy."� Secretly, Hamish and Stephan were watching his death and they were totally
expecting him to say it. Then out of nowhere William Wallace yelled "FREEDOM!"�
Everyone was shocked including the king. He was really mad to see William die like that.
In the end, the Scotsmen deserved their battle. They defeated King Edward and
won their freedom!
Braveheart was probably one of the best examples of the Middle Ages. It showed
many characteristics they were used back then. The rise of the Scottish, how shelters
work, relationships with others, and the leaders alone. Many more too. This movie has
defiantly reflected the way people now think about the Middle Ages