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

2. 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.

3. Character Archetypes The Mentor Sir Ector John Thatcher
Trains and acts as a role-model 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.”

4. Character Archetypes
Loyal Retainers
Roland
Wat

5. Hunting Group of Companions
Character Archetypes
Hunting Group of Companions
Roland
Wat
Chaucer
Kate

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. Battle Between Good and Evil
Situation Archetypes
Battle Between Good and Evil
William Thatcher vs. Count Adhemar
The Ritual
Knighting Ceremony
Joust Prize Ceremony
Dance

13. Symbolism Sir Ulrich’s Crest Green Outfits at Dance
Black (Dragon): Protection
Red: Passion and Courage
Yellow: Health and Wisdom
Green Outfits at Dance
Hope and fertility; the budding romance between William and Jocelyn

14. 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.)

15. Symbolism The English Channel (sea) The English Channel (bridge)
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.
The English Channel
(bridge)
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.

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

17. Symbolism Twelve Stars
It has been twelve years since William left England.
The perfection of things
Cosmic order
Changing his stars
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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