Preview

The King's Speech Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
483 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The King's Speech Essay
An Unlikely Friendship The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, is a film about Britain’s King George VI and his struggle to overcome his stammer. King George VI, also known as “Bertie,” is forced to rule after the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII. With the help of his supportive wife Elizabeth he meets speech therapist Lionel Logue, who encourages him to overcome his speech impediment. Important elements of the film are perseverance and the idea that even a commoner could help to inspire a reluctant king to lead. Bertie is shown agonizing through a session with a doctor who couldn’t seem to help him and although he faces many discouragements he still finds it in him to seek out help. In the scene of his second visit with Lionel he says “I’m willing to work hard, Dr. Logue.” He expresses the desire to improve his flaw even as a Royal Highness. He doesn’t give off an egocentric I-don’t-need-help attitude but instead admits his imperfection and allows for improvement. He is then shown going through sessions with Lionel with utmost perseverance, even through his peculiar exercises. When Bertie is reminded of his brother’s possible abdication he is distraught with fear that he may be forced unto the throne as a result. He tries to resist the duty to become King, feeling he is inadequate for the title. However, Lionel feels differently and encourages the idea instead. Lionel Logue plays a vital role in the film. Not only is he the advocate, but he also becomes a voice of reason, and ultimately helps Bertie find his own voice. Especially in the scene where King George VI is to go through the crowning ceremony, and questions about Logue’s credentials. Lionel sits on the coronation throne and King George VI is angrily shocked goes into a shouting argument with Lionel then says, “Listen to me. Listen to me!” Lionel retorts “Listen to you? By what right?” The King the says, “By divine right if you must. I am your king.” To which Lionel says “ No you’re

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Patrick Henry gave a speech in 1775 to the Virginia Convention that convinced them to take action and fight back against Great Britain for their freedom because their methods of hope and petition failed to work. First, he used concession to opposition in the beginning of his speech to acknowledge the arguments and thoughts of the preceding speakers so that he could speak freely while he suggested treason. Secondly, he pointed out how despite the obvious facts of the start of a war, the convention continued to hope even without response from Britain. Henry stated, “Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land" (Henry). In addition, Henry contradicted…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Dr. King was a Babtist minister and had been advocating nonviolence and civil disobedience. He utilized many things in his approach to the speech. The powerful setting of the Lincon monument, the man who ended slavery, his appeal to both head and heart, his vivid and metaphorical use on language, use of contrast, reenforcment and repetition, his call to action, and he ends on a powerful and hopeful note. "Free at last, free at last, Great god a-mighty, we are free at…

    • 83 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    | Here Martin Luther shows that the Negro people deserve to be free just as much as any other American white person. He uses an interesting metaphor to describe what America has done to the Negro people. Martin Luther does this, because it would fit well with the audience. He knew the audience would respond well to it.…

    • 1057 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In sum, the definition of maladjustment refers to someone who is “failing or unable to cope with the demands of a normal social environment.” In Martin Luther King’s 1963 speech, King states that “Now we all should seek to live a well—adjusted life in order to avoid neurotic and schizophrenic personalities. But there are some things within our social order to which I am proud to be maladjusted and to which I call upon you to be maladjusted. I never intend to adjust myself to segregation and discrimination. I never intend to adjust myself to mob rule. I never intend to adjust myself to the tragic effects of the methods of physical violence and to tragic militarism. I call upon you to be maladjusted to such things.” In this context, King vows that he will not conform to the racial segregation and violence of his time, and that he will succeed in overcoming racism in a peaceful, composed manner.…

    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The Declaration of Independence” paved the way for freedom in the United States. It rejected ruling from Great Britain, and made America its own country. The document was written by Thomas Jefferson, a delegate of the Second Continental Congress. The cause was the colonists being tired of the King taking their rights away, so they decided to withdraw from Great Britain and become their own free country. Their feelings are expressed in The Declaration when the tone portrayed was critical and straightforward. The Declaration was important in the style it contained which is the reason it was successful.…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sometimes no matter how much we are against it, war is necessary. This was the case in America in 1775. Virginian leaders met to discuss the direction our country was headed in. What were we going to do about the conflict with the British? Who was treating us poorly? Some leaders continued peaceful means to resolve conflict. Patrick Henry thought differently. He wrote the famous “Speech of the Virginia Convention” to push for war. Because of how Patrick Henry used appeals and rhetorical devices, he was able to convince the other colonists to go to war with England.…

    • 1025 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The freedom that was found in collection 2 of our textbook is shown in many different parts of Martin Luther King Jr’s speech. Freedom can be seen in symbols as well as images. Freedom can also be seen in the short story “ Censors,” by Luisa Valenzuela by her stating the lack of freedom and how came to be.…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In 1961 John F. Kennedy gives his inaugural speech to the desperate Americans. The American citizens are in need of hope, and need to believe this young president is the right man to lead their future. His inaugural speech gave Americans comfort, and hope that they needed at the time. Throughout his speech Kennedy uses emotion-arousing words, anaphora, antithesis, and rhetorical questions to encourage Americans to show their patriotism.…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    English 124 Final Essay

    • 1667 Words
    • 5 Pages

    When understanding what a family goes through with having a child with special needs such as Autism it is important to know the fundamental facts about Autism. Autism is a rare disease that has been recognized for centuries. In the past decade, Autism has reached a peak of being recognized The purest form of autism occurs in about one in 2,000 people, which would be what we consider autism in the DSM-5 ; researchers are currently narrowing down the criteria so that fewer children with milder symptoms are labeled as autism. Autism is found in every race, ethnic group, nation, and social standing, although males outnumber females by four or five times.…

    • 1667 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Kings speech is based heavily around repetition. He uses this in the lines, One hundred years later, I have a dream and Let freedom ring. All repeated to gain suspense from the audience as well as emphasising his themes of equality and justice. King says them with such authority and power to further drive home the importance of these themes. Using his voice to create a sense of urgency about the issue.…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Lear Essay

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Motifs and symbols are often used to enrich a literary text. Identify one or more symbols, motifs or strands of imagery and explore the role which they play in King Lear…

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Creon Essay

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages

    King Creon is a cruel, heartless man, who didn’t care about anyone else but himself. In the story, Antigone and her sister Ismene planned to bury their brother Polynieces. However, King Creon ordered that Polynieces’ body must remain un- buried, so it would rot and animals would use it as food. He soon said if anyone disobeyed his orders, they would be sentenced to death. Creon found out that Antigone buried Polynieces, and abandoned Antigone in a secluded area so she could die alone. But, little did he know that was his fate all along. Creon deserves his fate, because he left Polynieces un- buried, he locked Antigone away, and his pride and arrogance was cruel to the people in his kingdom.…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cheers rise from the jubilant crowd as the crowning moment we’ve all been waiting for finally arrives. Thousands fill the Mall, craning their necks as Queen Elizabeth II steps out onto her balcony, offering a smile to her adoring subjects. Clad in her bedazzled hat, she surveys the scene: a vast sea of British flags, frantic in their support of sixty years on the throne, waving in time to a raucous rendition of God Save the Queen.…

    • 1449 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    King John Essay

    • 917 Words
    • 2 Pages

    King John was the reigning king from 1189-1199. His reign was not the most righteous reign, as many citizens thought that he was a disbeliever, then other people thought he was a wasted more money than ever before. In fact, his reign as king was not as successful as his father’s reign, he did a lot wrong as king including putting his country into poverty, rising taxes, falling out with the pope and losing his position in the French monarchy. Lots of his deeds had great fault but what really happened?…

    • 917 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Fore score and seven years ago,” are the famous words spoken by the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. On that day, his words changed the course of American history. The speech took place during the American Civil war. The Northern states were fighting against the Southern states that seceded from the union, because they thought President Lincoln would abolish slavery in America. The speech was given on November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Gettysburg Address changed the course of the Civil war because of its location, message, and significance.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays