Love this movie (have watched it more than 30 times). Never really understood what Maximus was laughing at when Proximo talks about how Marcus presented him with a wooden sword. Proximo's response is even more weird as he angrily says 'I did not say I knew him. I said he touched me on the shoulder once." Why was Maximus laughing?
shareMaybe because a man like Proximo was proud of having "met" the emperor while Maximus was really close to him? I'm not sure to be honest.
Maximus laughs because he thinks Proximo is making it up. Marcus Aurelius was emperor, the most important man in Rome, and Proximo, in Maximus's eyes, is just some lowlife that Marcus Aurelius wouldn't give the time of day to.
Proximo gets defensive because he can see Maximus thinks he's lying. He corrects him that he's not claiming to have known the Emperor, only saying that the Emperor touched him on the shoulder once.
Thanks tebnantennae - this sounds like the most logical explanation. You can see some pride in Proximo's speech. Felt as if finally Maximus was a bit happy to have finally met someone who knew his old friend... It was also the first time in the movie the idea of revenge became a possibility.
shareIMO he laughs because Proximo talks like Marcus was like god. Maximus however has seen Marcus´s everyday side because they were friends. Maximus has seen Marcus as a human and not as great emperor.
"Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..."
[deleted]
I think Barish answer was correct. Maximus laughed in a sort of 'oh you met marcus.. tell me more how great you are' sort of vein. Proximo's boasting was lost on Maximus for obvious reasons.
---
How to Raise your Vibration! -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kisIflFd_TE
[deleted]