PROPONENT - The movie Braveheart follows the story of William Wallace, a 13th century Scottish commoner who united the Scottish clans and wages a legendary rebellion against the tyrannical King Edward I of England. The famous “They will never take our freedom!” scene takes place just before the Battle of Sterling Bridge on September 11, 1297. In this defining moment, Wallace transformed from a rogue rebel into the undisputed PROPONENT or leading champion of Scottish independence.
DISPARITY – When our scene opens, the outmatched and under equipped army of Scottish commoners faces a massive heavily armored English force. Terrified by the DISPARITY or obvious difference between the two armies, the common Scottish soldiers start to abandon the field, shouting that they want to go home.
CAPITULATION – When William Wallace arrives, he recognizes that the Scottish army is on the brink of CAPITULATION or surrender. The soldiers are paralyzed by the formidable English presence and disillusioned by being abandoned by the cowardly Scottish nobles. In addition, they question the legends surrounding Wallace himself, expecting a mythic giant.
MITIGATE – Wallace successfully uses humor to mock the outsized legends about him. He temporarily MITIGATES or allays the soldiers’ immediate terror, humanizes his own persona, and secures their willingness to listen to his appeal to stand and fight.
PRAGMATIC – Wallace recognizes that the Scottish soldiers are weighing their immediate personal safety against the distant abstract ideal of freedom. Given this choice, they are prepared to make a PRAGMATIC or practical decision. A veteran soldier responds to Wallace’s appeal to fight with a PRAGMATIC sense of fear: “Against that? No! We will run, and we will live.”
SPURIOUS – Wallace understands the soldiers’ immediate concern for personal safety. In a famous speech he urges them to look past their present survival and consider how they will feel lying on their deathbeds. He skillfully frames a life bought at the price of submission as a SPURIOUS or false victory that will produce regret. By contrasting a heroic death with decades of servile surrender, Wallace reframes the decision as one between cowardice and dignity.
CATALYST – Wallace’s speech works! It serves as a CATALYST or spark that transforms a disillusioned, panicked rabble into a unified, resolute army willing to fight for a moment of destiny!
PROPONENT – a person who supports a plan, idea, or action; an advocate
DISPARITY – a difference in level
CAPITULATION – cease to resist; surrender
MITIGATE – make less severe; allay
PRAGMATIC – a practical approach to dealing with problems and decisions
SPURIOUS – false; not genuine or true
CATALYST – a spark that ignites an action