13 Mar The Princess Bride by William Goldman
“The Princess Bride” is a novel by William Goldman, first published in 1973. It is a classic tale of romance and adventure, filled with humor, satire, and swashbuckling action.
The story is framed as a fictional abridgment of a much longer book, “The Princess Bride,” written by a fictional author named S. Morgenstern.
Goldman claims that he is presenting only the “good parts” of Morgenstern’s book, cutting out the dry and boring bits. He intersperses his own commentary throughout the novel, pretending to be a skeptical editor who is reluctant to publish the story.
The main plot follows the adventures of Westley and Buttercup, two lovers from the land of Florin. When Westley is captured by pirates, Buttercup is forced to marry the cruel Prince Humperdinck.
However, with the help of a motley crew of allies, including a giant named Fezzik and a swordsman named Inigo Montoya, Westley sets out to rescue Buttercup and foil Humperdinck’s evil plans.
“The Princess Bride” is notable for blending different genres, including romance, adventure, fantasy, and satire. It has been adapted into a successful movie, a stage play, and even a video game.
Summary of Princess Bride
“The Princess Bride” is a novel that tells the story of a young woman named Buttercup who falls in love with a farm boy named Westley. However, when Westley goes off to seek his fortune, he is captured by pirates and presumed dead.
Years later, Buttercup is forced to marry Prince Humperdinck, a cruel and selfish man. Before the wedding can take place, Buttercup is kidnapped by a trio of outlaws: a giant named Fezzik, a master swordsman named Inigo Montoya, and their leader, a mysterious man in black who turns out to be Westley, who did not die after all.
Together, the group must overcome various obstacles and enemies, including the prince and his minions, in order to rescue Buttercup and restore true love. Along the way, they encounter fire swamps, dangerous cliffs, and various other hazards.
The novel is notable for its mix of genres, including romance, adventure, fantasy, and humor. It is also known for its metafictional framing device, in which the narrator, William Goldman, presents the story as an abridged version of a longer novel by a fictional author named S. Morgenstern.
Throughout the book, Goldman interrupts the narrative with commentary and anecdotes about his own life and experiences as a writer.
What is the Main Message of The Princess Bride?
The main message of “The Princess Bride” is the power of true love and the importance of perseverance in the face of obstacles. Throughout the novel, the characters encounter numerous challenges and setbacks, but they never give up on their quest to rescue Buttercup and reunite with their loved ones.
Another theme of the book is the idea of heroism, as the characters must use their skills and strengths to overcome their enemies and save the day. The book also satirizes familiar tropes and cliches of traditional fairy tales, such as the damsel in distress and the valiant hero, while still celebrating the enduring appeal of these stories.
Overall, “The Princess Bride” is a celebration of love, adventure, and the power of storytelling, encouraging readers to never give up on their dreams and to always believe in the power of true love and friendship.
How Did The Princess Bride End?
In the end, “The Princess Bride” has a happy ending. After a series of adventures and battles, Buttercup and Westley are reunited and declare their love for each other. Inigo Montoya, who has been seeking revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father, finally gets his revenge and finds closure.
Fezzik, the gentle giant finds a sense of purpose and belonging as part of the group, and Vizzini, the scheming mastermind behind the kidnapping of Buttercup, is defeated.
Prince Humperdinck is also defeated, and it is revealed that he was behind many of the evil plots and schemes that had occurred throughout the story. In the end, Buttercup and Westley are married, and they ride off into the sunset on horseback, with Fezzik, Inigo, and Westley’s former shipmate, Miracle Max, waving goodbye.
The book ends with Goldman reflecting on the power of storytelling and how the story of “The Princess Bride” has brought joy and hope to readers for generations.
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