According to Aristotle's definition, for a piece of performance work to be classified as a comedy, it must simply include a likable-enough character who ends up rectified and happy by the end of his or her story. The most common type of comedy takes form in the Romantic Comedy, in which the center plot is a love story between usually young, attractive and destined-for-each other couple who are kept apart due to pesky extenuating circumstances. Nevertheless, the two surpass all obstacles between them and end up living happily ever after. "The Princess Bride" certainly fits the bill of this type of entertainment.
This cinematic masterpiece depicts the epic tale of a young stable boy's rise to higher-level bandit-hood as he attempts to steal back the woman whom he fell in love with before she was taken away to be married to the evil Prince of the Land. Wesley, as he is known, and his Buttercup lived on a farm for years while he secretly adored her from a far. Then, literally two weeks before Wesley is drafted into the military, Buttercup realizes the love she has for him and the two vow to find each other again and spend the rest of their lives together no matter what blockades presently stand between them. Buttercup is left alone for sixty days - mourning the loss of her love - until she is brought to the palace where she begins the process of becoming a princess. In that time, Wesley assumes the identity of the Dreaded Pirate Roberts whose legacy is infamous among sea travelers. Buttercup is kidnapped by looters (who comprise three of the best movie characters ever written) and they hold her captive, declaring they will return her only after they receive a generous bounty. After battles of sword, wit and strength, Wesley is reunited with Buttercup and the fire of their love is reignited. Their happiness does not last long as the pair is promptly hunted down by the Prince's army; Buttercup is returned to the palace and Wesley is thrown in the Pit of Despair (a kinky torture chamber and brain child of the Prince's six-fingered right hand man). Wesley fights some more people, the men he battled with to save Buttercup find him and rescue him, the trio of men meet up with some miracle workers until, finally, they storm the palace and save Buttercup before she is wed to the disgusting Prince. The two ride off into the sunset to live happily ever after.
Now that the plot is understood, the question becomes what, if anything, this movie has to say about the inter workings of society. The answer is yes and the reasons are what make the movie as well-received and beloved as it is. Buttercup is not your typical 'damsel in distress' nor is Wesley your typical hero. Buttercup is an agent in her own right. Though she requires a man for her salvation - what woman during that time period didn't? - she takes risks and experiences sorrow and torment of her own and through it all, never gives up hope that justice will rule. Wesley, on the other hand is a stable-boy turned fraudulent robber. He was trained in the art of deceit that, combined with sword skills and a hell of a lot of good luck, allowed him to exploit people and get what he wanted from them. He is driven by his unwavering love for Buttercup but little else. This juxtaposition of a female psychological hero and a capable male love bird speaks directly to the gender roles that tend to dominate society. The fact that the pair end up happily together is representative of the ideal that love that is meant to be overcomes all. In this way, "The Princess Bride" is a comedic tool.
First of all, I love this movie. I cannot believe I did not think of this. Well done. I like that you point out Buttercup's agency, the little that she can have as a woman. Wesley, the stable boy turned successful marauder, seems to fit the classic comedic character as far as Aristotle is concerned.
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