Watch the Movie `A Lion In Winter`. Discuss the use of the word “power” in this film. Are their different types of power? Do some of the characters change their perceptions of power?

Gallagher 1

Alexis Gallagher

Professor Karen Howard

English 2310 , V01

3 April 2008

Power Breeds Power

People say that knowledge is power . Others put stock on influence More strive for material wealth . Dictionary .com defines power as ability to do or act capability of doing or accomplishing something ' Regardless of personal opinion , it is a goal people strive to achieve and undergoes changes along with their outlook in life . This work seeks to tackle the definitions of power among the characters in The Lion in Winter and draw

a conclusion that it changes along with a person 's perspective

The film , based on a play by James Goldman , is a tragedy about the last days of Henry II and the maneuvering of his sons to take over . Henry valued land more than anything else . His marriage to the queen , Eleanor of Aquitaine , allowed him to annex her lands . Even his mistress Alais who was promised to his eldest surviving son , Richard , had a province offered as a dowry . His belief that the amount of territory he acquired dictated the power he wielded

The queen played by Katharine Hepburn , also craves power but uses different tactics like influence and manipulation to get her desires Her wish is that her son Richard would succeed his father as King Continuously opposing Henry , she spars with him through banter and takes delight in making him miserable

Richard , the queen 's favorite , puts stock in martial prowess . A brute of a man , he craves physical combat and uses it to achieve his goals His introduction is on a jousting field where he bests an opponent and comes close to killing him . The arrival of the king 's messenger was the only thing that allowed the fallen knight to live and fight another day .Geoffrey is shown on beach overlooking the set of a coming battle . A group of pike men marches and at his signal , a group of cavalry charges head on into the oncoming force . While the battle rages , he initiates a flanking maneuver which catches the pike men off guard thereby overpowering the traditional defense against cavalry . Geoff favors tactics and maneuvering over anything else . Rather than confronting an opponent , he will scheme to get what he wants

John , the youngest and Henry 's favorite is a slack-jawed youth who believes showing affection to the king will allow him to be next in line to the crown . A very simple minded boy , he takes most things at face value and does everything his daddy tells him

The most pitiful of the characters is Alais , sister of the French king Betrothed to Richard but in love with Henry who has her eating out of his hand . She deludes herself believing that her love for Henry will keep them together . Her brother on the other hand has come from France to enforce the contract made thereby securing England as an ally with the marriage of Alais and Richard

They are thrown in together for the...