![]() ![]() In the same way that these knights engaged in challenging and deadly tasks and overcame them largely due to some inherent, fated quality of exceptionality, Westley not only survives a climb up the Cliffs of Insanity, but does so with such a threatening success that the over-confident Vizzini feels the need to lower his already slim chances of success by cutting the rope that he is climbing. Similarly, Perceval defeats the red knight in Chretien’s story, despite no prior training as a knight. For example, in Malory’s tale, Sir Gawain enters into an enchanted castle and defeats trials that no other knight has been able to best. In addition to immediately establishing Westley’s character as a hero fated to succeed despite all odds, the setting of the Cliffs of Insanity as a dangerous and deadly place (as indicated by the eloquent name) is consistent with the facet of adventure which consists of overcoming deadly trials and challenges, as seen in many of the texts that we have read. ![]() This juxtaposition of Westley’s climb with Fezzik’s sets up a comparison between the two, revealing that Westley is an exceptional hero to be able to climb up a dangerous and extremely high cliff at a speed and agility that competes with Fezzik’s. Westley’s own climb is described in unison with Fezzik’s, as the crew is astonished at Westley gains on them and manages not to fall off, even after Vizzini cuts the rope. Fezzik’s character is immediately portrayed as a man of super-human size and strength, which is demonstrated by his ability to pull himself, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya, and Vizzini up the cliff’s edge with great speed and agility. Thirdly, Westley is depicted as an exceptional protagonist (not unlike the exceptional protagonists depicted in Chretien de Troyes’ The Story of the Grail, Sir Thomas Malory’s The Noble Tale of the Sankgreal, Wolfram Von Eschenbach’s Parzival, etc.) through his impressive climb up the cliff, and emphasized through his foil, Fezzik. Secondly, this scene is clearly a test of both physical strength and mental fortitude, as Westley must demonstrate the strength and agility to climb the cliff, but also the mental willpower to persist despite his own exhaustion and the setback of losing the rope. Firstly, the slow and exhaustive climb up the dangerous cliff’s edge foreshadows the slow and perilous journey that Westley will have to endure if he is going to achieve his goal of rescuing Buttercup. This scene is important for many reasons. Westley’s climb up the Cliffs of Insanity in pursuit of Buttercup and her captors is the first of many trials that we see Westley undergo throughout his quest. ![]() Quest Expectation: Exceptional/fated protagonist Trials/Tests ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |