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The American Hero's Perspective of Royalty as Portrayed by The Princess Bride

Overview:

The American hero is a roguish, intelligent, idealistic, stylish, hard-core citizen who is always victorious over his arch-nemesis. Every hero has one, that despicable being who wronged the hero, the sworn enemy. Inigo’s nemesis was Count Rugen. Westley’s was Prince Humperdinck. In both instances, we can see that royalty, in the eyes of the American hero, is nothing more than yet another obstacle to be conquered. 

Thesis:

Through satirical tendencies of The Princess Bride and “A Boxing Match or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull,” we can see that Americans view royalty as a thing of the past, outdated and tyrannical, stupid, gaudy, cowardly, and worthy of the title of “arch-enemy” to the American hero.

Artifact:

"A Boxing Match or Another Bloody Nose for John Bull" by William Charles

Lithograph, New York, 1813

The American Hero:

The American Hero is the opposite of the villain. 

Characteristics:

The hero is ambiguous, strong, intelligent, idealistic, and triumphant

The Villainous Royal:

America despises royalty

Characteristics:

Royalty is gaudy, wasteful, outdated, cowardly, and stupid.

Analysis:

Conclusion:

As a result of his unruly characteristics, Humperdinck foils Westley, highlighting his nobility, almost creating Westley into the swashbuckling hero we know him to be. Westley, in turn, lets him live. Perhaps royalty is the embodiment of those negative characteristics, but, as proven by Westley, perhaps we should not condemn it completely, instead allowing it to highlight us, the average farm boys, as heroes.