The Theme Of True Love In William Goldman's The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is a classic fantasy novel, written by William Goldman in 1973, filled with “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles” (The Princess Bride film), but most importantly true love. True love is one of them most important themes in the novel and movie adaptation because it is the driving force of the action. It is a reoccurring theme as the characters mention how rare true love is, however, it is only in the Fire Swamp that show the audience what true love is. The events surrounding the Fire Swamp enforces the idea that true love is worth all the sacrifices and risks. After Buttercup finally reunites with Westley, Prince Humperdinck makes his appearance and the lovers head into the dangerous Fire Swamp to escape the prince. As they run off to the swamp, Buttercup says, “We’ll never survive,” to which Westley replies, “Nonsense. You’re only saying that because no one ever has.” This conversation between Westley and Buttercup gives the audience an insight on how dangerous the Fire Swamp is since people have yet to come out of there alive. Although the swamp is dangerous,

With each interaction with danger, Westley saves and protects Buttercup from harm. When Buttercup falls into the lightning sand, Westley does not hesitate to dive in after her despite the fact that the sand will engulf him and fill him with sand. However, he does not care for his own well-being; he only cares about Buttercup. Moments after the lovers emerge from playing in the sand; an R.O.U.S makes its appearance and attacks Westley. Westley fights the rodent, with some help from his love, but then the R.O.U.S focuses on Buttercup. The injured Westley wastes no time in defeating the beast with the flame spurt and his sword in order to protect his princess from harm once