Review of ‘Lawrence of Arabia' Essay Example

Review of ‘Lawrence of Arabia'

The movie Lawrence of Arabia had many interesting aspects about it and, according to sources, is very historically accurate. Taken place during WW with the feud between British and Turkish forces over the Suez Canal, the movie reflects a life of an individual who tries to do something about the injustice of the Arabian people. David Lean depicts Lawrence or El Lawrence as the tragic hero of the biography in order to make the story more enchanting to the reader.

Lean depicts Lawrence as the classic tragic hero by first making him of noble race. Lawrence himself is enrolled in the British army and is stationed at Cairo. Lawrence, however, dreams of bigger things and wishes to work with the Arabians first hand. Lawrence being the intelligent young officer with the big background is allowed by his superior to go and find Prince Feisel. Despite the fact that he is allowed to this because his superior can't stand him, Lawrence moves out on a mission to find the prince. On the way to Arabia, Lawrence teams up with a tribesman to help him find his way. To his dismay, the guide is killed when they wonder into off-limits territory for the guide and the guide is killed by Sheriff, a member of an opposing tribe of the guide. This strikes a feeling of injustice in Lawrence that will later lead to his tragic flaw. He finds his way to his other superior on the mission by himself and is swamped by the feeling of injustice once again. He sees how Prince Feisel is being tricked and tries to help him but it is hopeless.

Another trait of a tragic hero that Lean depicts Lawrence of having is a tragic flaw. Lawrence's tragic flaw is quite obvious in this biography, it is simply that he believes he can make Arabia an independent state. Little does Lawrence know, because it would seem almost impossible to make all of Arabia agree under one government. Lawrence is displayed as a tragic hero who's only wish is to promote the