“…now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do…”

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Two years ago, the woman I was seeing had some female friends over my place for drinks and to watch ‘The Princess Bride’.

 

This collection of guests – ranging from 20 to 13 years younger than I (43 at the time) – played sort of a drinking game with it.

 

It had one rule and it was simple:

 

If you quote the film just prior to said quote’s delivery, you had to drink.

 

 

 

It being more of a “girls’ night”, I elected to work on my own projects instead of participating.

 

Although, I couldn’t resist stepping into the viewing area with my Devil’s Cut in hand to categorically state:

 

“Murdered by pirates is good.”

 

I mention all of this because a statement by commenter ▶ myopia ◀ gave me cause to share some observations I’ve made since that night.

 

 

 

Now, I’ll begin by saying the film is a good one.

 

In fact, it’s excellent (compared to what’s pumped out of the Hollywood cesspool, these days, at least.)

 

However, like so much else, it’s mainly been touted for the boy-girl romance (in fairness, that’s the main storyline) and the almost sanctified response:

 

“As you wish.”

 

 

 

Any blogger in our neck of the woods would now make this post about why it’s so terrible/beta/obsequious/uxorious et al.

 

As my regular readers no doubt expect:

 

I won’t be doing that.

 

Instead, I’ll be focusing men’s eyes on what they should be watching, rather than on what they shouldn’t.

 

 

 

Oddly enough, everything prior to the fight is arguably the best part of the film for men:

 

 

 

I’ll begin.

 

1} “I promise I will not kill you until you reach the top” = Notice both the welcoming of confrontation along with an inherent sense of fairness. Inigo clearly makes no vow to forgo killing the masked man; merely to give him a chance to defend himself. Inigo is confident in his abilities and is eager to test them.

 

2} “I swear on the soul of my father… you will reach the top alive.” = Again, no mercy or quarter is offered; merely fairness. Not only is fairness offered, the oath is kept. Also, Inigo has a task to perform and will perform it. But his way. He will fulfill his duty without being an automaton.

 

3} “You seem a decent fellow; I hate to kill you.” = This line and the cordial conversation preceding it demonstrate another admirable male trait: fulfillment of duty is not personal. Inigo does not look to paint the masked man as deserving of death nor does he find things to loath about the masked man to assuage his own conscience. Inigo – and the masked man – understand circumstances are as they are; in another time, another life, they may easily have been good friends.

 

4} Notice how both men compliment one another as the fight rages. Neither feels less of a man for recognizing the other’s skill. If anything, they realize it makes the confrontation that much more meaningful.

 

 

 

The culmination of Inigo’s subplot follows:

 

 

 

1} Notice the banality of evil. Cheating, underhanded tactics and – ultimately – cowardice.

 

2} “Offer me money… power, too, promise me that… offer me everything I ask for.” = Note carefully what’s actually being said here. Inigo realizes these things – in and of themselves – are largely meaningless without peace of mind. A man can attempt escape in such but ▶ they’ll never conceal him from his demons ◀.

 

3} Lastly, realize how anti-climactic it really is. The victory is relatively swift and – compared to other fights featured – lacking in challenge. This speaks volumes better left pondered than explained.

 

 

 

In closing, the film is an excellent love story.

 

Two of them, in fact.

 

[“I love my father so, naturally, I challenge his murderer to a dual.”]

 

I’m just choosing the one less examined.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8♦