“A Knight’s Tale”
Discovering Archetypes within Visual Literature

Character Archetypes



William Thatcher
Hero
Initiate
 Trained by Sir Ector as a squire before assuming the role of Sir Ulrich von
Liechtenstein.
Young Man from the
Provinces
 John Thatcher takes a young
William to France to be raised and trained by Sir Ector.

Character Archetypes
 Sir Ector
 Trains and acts as a rolemodel for William in the ways of the knight — chivalry and jousting.
 John Thatcher
 Teaches William to believe that he has the ability to
“change his stars.”

Character Archetypes
Loyal Retainers


Roland
Wat

Character Archetypes
Hunting Group of Companions


Roland
Wat


Chaucer
Kate

Character Archetypes
 Jocelyn

A “vulnerable” woman who must be rescued from marrying Count
Adhemar by William (Sir
Ulrich von Liechtenstein)

Character Archetypes

Count Adhemar


Adversary to William
Chooses to:


Expose Sir Ulrich as
William Thatcher for selfish reasons
Cheat using a pointed lance tip against William

Character Archetypes
Star Crossed Lovers
 William and Jocelyn
 Their very different social stations should keep the young lovers apart

Situation Archetypes
 For William Thatcher to become a recognized knight despite his lowly birth.
(To change his stars)
 Win jousting tournaments
 Win the support of the people
 Defeat Count Adhemar

Situation Archetypes
 Prince Edward knights
William at the stockade in front of his subjects
 Traveling to jousting tournaments
 Winning jousting tournaments
 The two jousts with
Prince Edward

Situation Archetypes
 When the people discover that William is not nobility
 Placed in stocks
 Loses respect of the people
 Sir Ulrich von
Liechtenstein “dies” and is reborn as Sir
William Thatcher

Situation Archetypes
 William Thatcher vs.
Count Adhemar
 Knighting Ceremony
 Joust Prize Ceremony
 Dance

Symbolism



Black (Dragon):
Protection
Red: Passion and
Courage
Yellow: Health and
Wisdom
 Hope and fertility; the budding romance between William and
Jocelyn

Symbolism

White
When audience is introduced to Jocelyn, she is in a white coat which identifies her as an innocent

Purity, innocence, and holiness
(This archetype is further reinforced by her first interaction with William inside the church.)

Symbolism

William’s father crosses the English Channel with young William to give him to Sir Ector to train.
Thereby, severing (death) his parental relationship with William.

When William crosses the
English Channel with
Roland and Wat to return to England. This is symbolic of William bridging his past (William
Thatcher) and present (Sir
Ulrich) lives.

Symbolism
 William rediscovers his father and they have a rebirth of their parental relationship.
(on the English Channel)
 Demonstrates John
Thatcher’s uncertainty over giving William to
Sir Ector to train.
 Uncertain future

Symbolism



Twelve
It has been twelve years since
William left England.
 The perfection of things
 Cosmic order

Changing his stars
**************************
Stars
Sir William and his hunting party stand over Count Adhemar forming a star.
Film ends with a night sky filled with stars, which suggests:
 Good fortune, hope, love, fertility, and harmony