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Preda Mihail Irinel

Book Report : Braveheart (by Randal Wallace)
Title of Book : Braveheart
Author : Randal Wallace
Publisher : Addison Wesley Ltd and Penguin Book Ltd 1998
Year of publication : 2008
Major Characters : Give a brief description of each character.
1. William Wallace
Description : He is the major character because all the story tells about him and his adventure to
struggle the independent of Scottish. The story begins when his father and brother are killed fighting
English soldiers, he leaves Scotland and travels abroad with his uncle. Upon returning, he marries his
childhood friend Murron. After Murron is summarily executed by an English magistrate, Wallace leads
an uprising demanding justice that leads to the Wars of Scottish Independence.
2. Edward I
Description : Edward I of England, the primary antagonist. Nicknamed "Longshanks" for his height over 6
feet, the King is depicted as a tyrannical psychopath. He is also shown to be emotionally and physically
abusive to his son. Determined to ruthlessly put down the Scottish uprising, he intends to ensure his rule
over all of the Britain. Despite serving as the film's villain, he and Wallace do not share a single scene
throughout.
3. Princes Isabelle
Description : Princess Isabelle of France, who sympathizes with the Scottish and admires Wallace. She
helps Wallace to face the situation during his war against Edward I and she helps Wallace to have the
truce as the offering of Edward I.
Summary : The summary of the story
The Story "Braveheart" starts off in Scotland, 1280 AD. We see a little William Wallace, following his
father, Malcom Wallace to a meeting between noblemen. When they arrive at the place of the meeting,
they find everyone had been hung by King Edward "The Longshanks". Days later, Malcom, his eldest son
John, and other Scottish farmers set off to fight. The next day, William's father and brother are brought
home dead. They are laid to rest and soon after William's uncle, Argile, comes to adopt him. Argile
promises to teach young William how to use his mind before he shows him how to wield a sword. Argile
then brings William back home with him.
Years later, King Edward marries his son, Prince Edward, to Princess Isabella, the daughter of the King of
France. William returns to his hometown after many years of being away. He falls in love with Murron,
who as a little girl gave him a flower at his father's funeral. Soon after, they get married in secret to
avoid "Prima Nocta", a law enforced by the King that allows a noble to consecrate a new marriage by
having the new wife in his bed for the first night. William and Murron separate during their escape, and
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Preda Mihail Irinel
Murron ends up being captured. They kill all the soldiers, seize the fort, and Wallace avenges his wife's
death by slitting the throat of the Magistrate.
When Isabella returns, she discovers that the King had been planning to kill Wallace and his army, even
if he did agree to peace. Seeking revenge, Wallace kills the noblemen that betrayed him. During their
meeting, the Princess falls in love with Wallace. Then the two side's infantry attack each other. The first
big battle in the movie is the battle of Sterling Bridge. After decapitating the English general, Wallace
proclaims victory. The princess warns Wallace of this, who then abandons York. He believed that it
would numb his wits, wits he needs to go through his upcoming torture. Robert, admiring Wallace, gives
in. Wallace gives an inspirational speech to keep the Scottish army from fleeing. Stephen then saves
Wallace from an onrushing horde of English.
William Wallace is a Scottish rebel who leads an uprising against the cruel English ruler Edward the
Longshanks, who wishes to inherit the crown of Scotland for himself. When he was a young boy, William
Wallace's father and brother, along with many others, lost their lives trying to free Scotland. Once he
loses another of his loved ones, William Wallace begins his long quest to make Scotland free once and
for all, along with the assistance of Robert the Bruce.
The story end
In 1314, nine years after Wallace's death, Robert the Bruce, now a king but still guilt-ridden over his
betrayal of Wallace, leads a strong Scottish army and faces a ceremonial line of English troops at the
fields of Bannockburn where the English are to accept him as the rightful ruler of Scotland. Just as he is
about to ride to accept the English endorsement, the Bruce turns back to his troops. Invoking Wallace's
memory, he urges his charges to fight with him as they did with Wallace. Robert's army then charges the
English, who were not expecting a struggle. The story ends with Mel Gibson's voice intoning that the
Scottish won their freedom in this battle. WE WILL BE FREE!
The theme of the book
The theme of the book is about the courage of someone who tries to struggle what he is believing, even
though he will face a big danger but he keep fighting for all the people that he love, for his family and for
Scottish.