Ng Ai Yee 1201591
1.
Is the story a hero's journey? Try to describe
it as a hero's journey and see if it fits the template.
In my opinion, I think the story does fits the concept of a “hero’s journey”.
In this movie, the main character (Maximus) is a hero. His journey throughout his life is to fight for the freedom of the people he cared about. He fights for his people, he fights for his right and also tries to avenge for his loved ones. He is reduced to slavery and he had to brawl for his beliefs and dreams through the gladiatorial arena. When the story ended in him successfully reached his dreams. He died with no regrets and he died with dignity. That is why the scene I cherished the most is when Maximus Decimus Meridius won the fight with Commodus before he collapses to his death. Accompanied with the background music, it gave me a feeling of accomplishment and proud. With his victory, he is able to exchange it for the release of Gracchus, slaves to be freed and the power to be restored to the Senate. I think that is very generous brave of him to stand for other people. The vision whereby he meets with his family n afterlife (in his vision) is something that is very much in touch with my inner feelings. In my opinion, what more could be more beautiful than the scene of the family reunion part? It is priceless.
In my opinion, I think the story does fits the concept of a “hero’s journey”.
In this movie, the main character (Maximus) is a hero. His journey throughout his life is to fight for the freedom of the people he cared about. He fights for his people, he fights for his right and also tries to avenge for his loved ones. He is reduced to slavery and he had to brawl for his beliefs and dreams through the gladiatorial arena. When the story ended in him successfully reached his dreams. He died with no regrets and he died with dignity. That is why the scene I cherished the most is when Maximus Decimus Meridius won the fight with Commodus before he collapses to his death. Accompanied with the background music, it gave me a feeling of accomplishment and proud. With his victory, he is able to exchange it for the release of Gracchus, slaves to be freed and the power to be restored to the Senate. I think that is very generous brave of him to stand for other people. The vision whereby he meets with his family n afterlife (in his vision) is something that is very much in touch with my inner feelings. In my opinion, what more could be more beautiful than the scene of the family reunion part? It is priceless.
2.
What did you learn about Rome from this movie?
Do some research on the characters. Are
they real people from history? Is the film accurate in historical detail? And
architectural detail (for example, the Colosseum/ Flavian Ampitheatre)?
This movie has screen the period of around the a.d. 180 century. This is the period of time where it the Pax Romana period. This period, Pax Romana has span for the period of time for about 207 years (27 BC to 180 AD). According to what I have read, Pax Romana, known as “Roman peace” in Latin, was the period of time where the Rome had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force. It is established by a guy named Caesar Augustus.
I have learned that Rome’s hierarchy is as below :
Emperor
This movie has screen the period of around the a.d. 180 century. This is the period of time where it the Pax Romana period. This period, Pax Romana has span for the period of time for about 207 years (27 BC to 180 AD). According to what I have read, Pax Romana, known as “Roman peace” in Latin, was the period of time where the Rome had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force. It is established by a guy named Caesar Augustus.
I have learned that Rome’s hierarchy is as below :
Emperor
Senators
Equestrians
Plebeians
Freedmen
Slaves
Through this I have learned that their community by that have extinguish themselves by such in their social hierarchy.
The most characters in this movie are just a make-up story while some are based on the true characters. Yet there are some disputes over certain things in the story, for example, Marcus Aurelius died of plague instead of killed by Commodus. Meanwhile, the character, Maximus seems quite fictional, although he resembles part of the historical figures from the history.
Regarding the historical accuracy, this film is loosely based on historical events. They have tried to portray a more genuine Roman culture compare to the previous movie. However few deviations are made to create interest in this movie, while some are to maintain narrative continuity and certain practical or safety purposes were taken into account for the deviations.
The Architectural details are quite impressive, and I find it quite beautiful in a means of historical.
Through this I have learned that their community by that have extinguish themselves by such in their social hierarchy.
The most characters in this movie are just a make-up story while some are based on the true characters. Yet there are some disputes over certain things in the story, for example, Marcus Aurelius died of plague instead of killed by Commodus. Meanwhile, the character, Maximus seems quite fictional, although he resembles part of the historical figures from the history.
Regarding the historical accuracy, this film is loosely based on historical events. They have tried to portray a more genuine Roman culture compare to the previous movie. However few deviations are made to create interest in this movie, while some are to maintain narrative continuity and certain practical or safety purposes were taken into account for the deviations.
The Architectural details are quite impressive, and I find it quite beautiful in a means of historical.
3.
What was happening to the Roman empire during
the period of Commodus' rule? And what eventually caused the decline and
downfall of the Roman Empire?
During the period of Commodus’s rule, it has had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force.
The Pax Romana began with the Pax Augustus (Commodus) in 27 BC, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and its final civil wars, and lasted until 180 AD at the death of Marcus Aurelius.
The decline and downfall of Roman Empire is caused by economic troubles. As there are nobody who is willing to fight for Rome and the unfit emperors have also contributed to the downfall of the country.
During the period of Commodus’s rule, it has had relative peace and minimal expansion by military force.
The Pax Romana began with the Pax Augustus (Commodus) in 27 BC, which marked the end of the Roman Republic and its final civil wars, and lasted until 180 AD at the death of Marcus Aurelius.
The decline and downfall of Roman Empire is caused by economic troubles. As there are nobody who is willing to fight for Rome and the unfit emperors have also contributed to the downfall of the country.
4.
Is this film propaganda for a certain set of
ideas or a way of life? Did the writer, director and actors intend for you to
have the reactions that you have expressed here? Aren't you just a bit suspicious
and critical of the film and the black and white division between Commodus and
Maximus? Such a bad and nasty Emperor and such a loyal gladiator! One is a
'good Roman' and the other is just out for himself? Doesn't it all seem a
little too simple? So, again, is this film propaganda for an idea of loyalty?
To answer this, look at which country produced it and when it was produced. How
is the film 'constructed' to provide a lesson to the audiences of that country
of its origin? Is it really about Rome, or about the country it came from? What
was happening in that country in the years just before it was created?
In my opinion this movie portrays a way of life of the Romans airing
that period of time.
My reactions here may or may have been anticipated by the crew producers.
I am not suspicious as I do enjoy the film as a part of a historical film rather than judging it with real measures. Besides, I think that we can used a bit of fictional imagination don’t we? This is just a movie for our entertainment. Too much historical facts and measures might have just been another plain historic events.
Basically it does seems simple as it seems. But it does seems to me that this movie does portray quite a loyalty concept. However, Idley Scott had excellently cast and convey the intensity of Roman gladiatorial combat as well as the political intrigue brewing beneath.
This movie is produced in United Kingdom, United States on May 5, year 2000. This movie try to portray the Roman culture as accurately as possible and they have even hired several historians as advisors for producing this movie.
A crew has scouted around to find a suitable venue for the filming within the extent of the Roman Empire before it collapse.
**Read More:
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/gladiators/gladiator-history.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_downfall_of_the_roman_empire#ixzz257gXnMuL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class_in_ancient_Rome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_(2000_film)#Historical_accuracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodus
My reactions here may or may have been anticipated by the crew producers.
I am not suspicious as I do enjoy the film as a part of a historical film rather than judging it with real measures. Besides, I think that we can used a bit of fictional imagination don’t we? This is just a movie for our entertainment. Too much historical facts and measures might have just been another plain historic events.
Basically it does seems simple as it seems. But it does seems to me that this movie does portray quite a loyalty concept. However, Idley Scott had excellently cast and convey the intensity of Roman gladiatorial combat as well as the political intrigue brewing beneath.
This movie is produced in United Kingdom, United States on May 5, year 2000. This movie try to portray the Roman culture as accurately as possible and they have even hired several historians as advisors for producing this movie.
A crew has scouted around to find a suitable venue for the filming within the extent of the Roman Empire before it collapse.
**Read More:
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/gladiators/gladiator-history.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_caused_the_downfall_of_the_roman_empire#ixzz257gXnMuL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class_in_ancient_Rome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator_(2000_film)#Historical_accuracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodus
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