Archetypes Case

Archetypes

Behind every story line or plot there is almost always some archetypal foundation to them, it can be archetypal stories and or archetypal characters. Archetypes are what sets the story into place and make it so that people can more easily relate to the basis of the story being told. The Princess Bride, is a prime example of how an archetypal story as well as archetypal characters are present in a story, movie. The Princess Bride story can be seen to be similar to Romeo and Juliet. And the characters of the story fall into many of the archetypal characters of: the child, mentor, sidekick, maiden and hero.

When most people think of Romeo and Juliet often times they will think of two people who fall in love with each other, but because of certain forces are not able to be together and are driven apart. In many ways, the storyline of The Princess Bride is a tale of Romeo and Juliet. Westly and Buttercup fall in love with each other but are cannot be together since Westly has no fortune (The Princess Bride). Westly and Buttercup are driven apart from one another a couple of times. The first being when he first leaves to seek his fortune so that he may be with Buttercup. Just like how Romeo and Juliet are driven apart by their feuding families. The second being after they get through the Fire Swamp and are met by Prince Humperdinck and his army(The Princess Bride). Buttercup goes willing with Prince Humperdinck and does this so that Westly’s life may be spared (The Princess Bride). And again both Westly and Buttercup are able to be with one another because of another driving force. Romeo and Juliet are not able to be together because of their families and what “is better for them.” Buttercup left because she thought it was better that Westly live than die. The plot behind The Princess Bride is very much so a tale or Romeo and Juliet as two lovers are not able to be with one another because of outside factors.

At the beginning of the movie, the narration starts off with a boy who is sick in bed. The boy’s character can be seen as the archetypal child. The archetypal child is essentially a child; someone who is very childish and childlike. The boy fits right into this archetype; he is still a child and acts very childlike. He is not very mature yet and focuses very narrow mindedly. As his grandfather visits him and tells him that he will read him a story the boy immediately asks if there are sports in the story (The Princess Bride). Proving the fact that he is only focused on his interests as he is playing a sports video game. Then as the story proceeds and Westly and Buttercup are about to kiss, the boy interrupts asking if they are about to kiss and makes a face of disgust (The Princess Bride). The boy also wants things to go how he wants them to. For example, when he finds out that Westly died while out seeking his fortune the boy whines that Westly could