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William Wallace: Aristotelian Tragic Hero

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William Wallace, a Scottish patriot, is known around the world as a national hero in Scotland, because he fought and died to free Scotland from the English rule. Even with his simple beginnings Wallace became a prominent rebel leader. He was known for being the leader of country folk against English rule in hopes of regaining freedom for Scotland. Through his actions and choices he was later captured and made an example of by the English. He was captured and executed in August of 1305 in London. Despite his execution, and being made an example of, it didn’t have the predicted effect on the Scottish people as the English thought it would. Wallace’s death would later anger the people into continuing the fight for freedom. The events in William Wallace’s life follow the path of an Aristotelian Tragic Hero up until his demise.
Not much is known about William Wallace, and the things that are known researchers aren’t entirely sure if it's right. William Wallace was born in Elderslie, Scotland or Ayrshire, Scotland around 1270. Not much is known about Wallace’s early life, but what is know is unlike the other rebel leaders he came from a simple beginning. He was a …show more content…

“On Sept. 11, 1297, an English army under John de Warenne, earl of Surrey, confronted him at the Forth near Stirling. Wallace’s forces were greatly outnumbered, but Surrey had to cross a narrow bridge over the Forth before he could reach the Scottish positions. By slaughtering the English as they crossed the river, Wallace gained an overwhelming victory. He captured Stirling Castle, and for the moment Scotland was nearly free of occupying forces.” (“Sir William Wallace | Biography - Scottish Hero.”) Wallace’s courage was based on his drive to free his people from English rule. The Battle at Stirling Castle is a prime example, because his troops were outnumbered yet he still went into

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