Physical Courage

Courage, seven letters, two syllables, countless meanings. Courage can be shown in many different ways and contexts by different composers. Both moral and physical courage are conveyed in many texts including the film “Life is beautiful” by Roberto Benigni, the novel “To Kill a Mocking Bird”, directed by Robert Mulligan, and the image “Courage, bravery doesn't mean you aren't scared. It means you go anyway”.
In the film ‘Life is Beautiful’, the concept of courage is personified through Guido’s character, whose bravery and determination is without limits. This is shown effectively through his dialogue in the scene where Guido incorrectly translates the Nazi soldier’s instructions. The effect of this scene is twofold. Firstly, it allows viewers to acknowledge the intensity of the situation Guido is in through the harsh tone of the German soldier. Secondly and more importantly, it demonstrates Guido’s personality and humour, and the extent to which he is prepared to make his son Joshua feel comfortable and at ease, though his spontaneous creation of the rules of his and Joshua ‘game’, the viewer understands the courageous nature of his character as he is willing to go to any lengths to ensure the safety of his son.
Another way courage is portrayed in the film ‘Life is Beautiful’ is through the use of many types of camera angles. The scene where Guido’s wife asks the Nazi soldier to get onto the train with her family uses different types of camera angles. One of which is the low camera angle as she demands to go onto the train. The use of low camera angles places the viewers in a position where they are looking up at Dora making her more dominant and powerful. The low camera angle highlights her power, not only because she isn’t Jewish, but also because she is courageous enough to board the train to ensure she is with her family, despite the horrific consequences, she may face. In the visual text “Courage, bravery doesn't mean you aren't scared. It means you go