Goof, or no goof... that is the question...

[silversolitaire]

I was just mussing on Knight's Tale. Is that a goof? I can't remember who said it... I think it was Geoff to Wat... can't remember. Anyway, one of them calls the other one "Quasimodo". Now, the movie must be taking place between 1330-76, since Edward the Black Prince is mentioned. Quasimodo is most famous in Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo which was written in 1831. The story itself takes place in 1482. What I couldn't find out yet is the origin of ""Quasimodo" since I don't have the OED with me (who does??? LOL). I'm sure, the word "quasimodo" has been used before, but it can be assumed that it was indeed used in referrence to the book, meaning the hunchback. So, Geoff couldn't have known the referrence then.

Is this a goof now???

Can anyone confirm who said it to whom? ó_ò

OMG! I am a scholar! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Comments

[ex-frown243.livejournal.com]

Well. "Quasimodo" means "partially-formed" or "half-human". It was the name of Hugo's protagonist, yes, but it's also just a combination of two Latin-rooted words. And yes, it could very well have been an insult prior to book, meaning, basically, that the person was deformed.

However, *snort*, "Knight's Tale" was nothing if not historically inaccurate, so it wouldn't be a great shocker if it was just oversight... or if no one really gave it much thought.

LOL

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

You're right. Knight's Tale is so anachronistic. But still... somehow this specific bit just jarred me! hahaha

As for "quasimodo", yeah I know that it's "half-form", but I wonder if it really was used as an insult then?

But I guess you're right. It's pointless to even think about it! Since... well, it's ALL anachronistic! hahaha

[siria.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is still of any interest to you, but I think it was Wat who said it to one of the three french guys in the bar the evening before the world chapionships... the man who was sitting on the far right if my memory isn't acting out on me. You know, I seriously don't think they were using the word "Quasimodo" because of its meaning but because of the reference. They probably didn't think that people would actually accept the Queen-songs they included as well as the rather modern dresses, hair- and life-styles but on the other hand question references like that... oh well, i don't don't know whether a lady like jocelyn would have went to bed with a knight that easily and without any real effort to hide her doing, but i seriously doubt it.

You're right, the movie wasn't exactly what i would call authentic, nevertheless I love it to death. Maybe even because of that, i don't know... :)