Handout for A Knight’s Tale to use while viewing the film.
Definition of anachronism
noun \ə-ˈna-krə-ˌni-zəm\
1: an error in chronology; especially : a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or
customs in regard to each other
2: a person or a thing that is chronologically out of place; especially : one from a former age that
is incongruous in the present
3: the state or condition of being chronologically out of place
“Anachronism”. Merriam-Webster. An Encyclopedia Brittannica Company, 2012. Web. 19 Sep. 2012.
The Shrek films include many anachronisms to parody popular culture. These examples are out of
time as they do not fit with the medieval setting of the fairytales.
• Burger Prince (Burger King)
• Olde Knavery (Old Navy)
• Saxon Fifth Avenue (Saks Fifth Avenue)
• Versarchery (Versace)
• Gap Queen (Gap Kids)
• Farbucks Co_ee (Starbucks)
• Tower of London Records (Tower Records).
• Baskin Robinhood (Baskin Robins ice cream)
• Barney's Old York (Barney's New York)
All these stores are anywhere between 30 and 100 years old. Also, when Shrek and Fiona arrive in
Far Far Away, they pass a movie theater playing Lethal Arrow 4 (a parody of Lethal Weapon, 1987).
Film director Brian Hedgeland mixes modern elements with the medial Knight’s Tale to make the
1370’s setting accessible to modern audiences. His intentional use of anachronisms allow us to
experience the thrill of the joust, the seductiveness of forbidden love, and the humor of a raucous and
rowdy time.
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ANACHRONISMS
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