Men in Tights Satirical Analysis

“A black sherif!?” “Hey! Why not?”

Over the course of what is hopefully a short essay, I hope to make comparisons between the 12th century society portrayed in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and our modern day societal values. This film as well took the careful time to make fun of many other films elements, including some Brooks’ other works, and it is my intention t outline the satirical elements used in these situations.

To begin, I’d like to identify how labourers and different classes were represented in the film. In the 12th century, the different classes are much more exaggerated than they might be in modern day society. In modern day, a lower to middle class worker might still have luxuries in life. He might still be stylish, there’s a very good chance that they’re on top of their hygiene, and there’s a good chance that you might not even be able to differentiate him between someone of a higher class if he takes care of himself. This makes for easy contrast when compared to Men in Tight’s portrayal of the lower classes. Dressed in rags, chained to walls, wandering the forest or found with nothing better to do than sit and watch an archery contest. Now though this may be true in terms of physical representation, the film chose to portray the lower classes as as form of comedic relief. Buffoonish, idiotic, outright stupid. In all means a great form of comedic relief, and all together extremely entertaining, though not historically accurate when it comes to actual 12th century society. In the 12th century, the lower classes were the foundation of society. The workers, the labourers, their hard working lifestyles were the norm and what made a city or township successful.

It’s easy not to think about gender roles in the film, but upon analysis it’s pretty shocking (and appropriate to the time period) when you start to take a closer look. To start, there aren’t that many female characters at all. 90% of the cast are male, and these men portray...