Lots
of the characters have strengths in certain areas: Inigo, sword-fighting; Fezzik,
strength; Vizzini, wits; Buttercup, beauty; Humperdinck, hunting; Westley,
winning even as an underdog. Do the
characters use their strengths to serve others?
Or themselves? Defend and explain
your position. Which character is the
most prideful (explain)? And how is
humility of heart demonstrated? Or is
it?
The characters Inigo, Fezzik, And Vizzini all use the gifts to serve themselves. They have overconfidence in their skills which leads to their losses. Wesley was an obedient farmhand who served Buttercup out of his love for her. Later he saves her from the kidnappers, but this isn't out of humility. He did serve her, but he loved her and it was also for his own good. Humperdinck is the most prideful because he believes he should get whatever he wants just because of his political status. He chose to marry Buttercup even though she didn't love him. Humility isn't shown in this movie because all of the thing the characters do that could possibly be humility also have something in it for them.
ReplyDeletei agree with mikey with his thought about wesley saving her for him self not for others but only him.
DeleteMikey, I totes agree with you on everything you said but one thing. I think there was some humility in this movie. When Wesley was battling Inigo and Fezzik, and after he defeated them, he just knocked them both out instead of killing them. I think this shows humility in Wesley because of this: how cool would it make him look if he killed a giant AND a Spanish fencer in the same day? Instead of looking cool, Wesley humbled himself and knocked them out without injury.
DeleteI agree with you with mostly everything you said. There was one thing I think you overlooked though. I believe that Westley was humble at times, but it doesn't count completely because he only ever served the princess. Although that isn't the point I'm trying to make. Fezzik was the one character that really was humble the entire time. Although he seemed to show off his strength, it was just to scare Westley, like he was ordered to do so. The things that made me realize he was humble is that he didn't kill Westley right away, even though he could. He also never brought up his strength. He only talked about it if it was mentioned by someone else. The thing I really liked about him is that when he found Inigo, who he hadn't seen in a long time, drunk, he helped him become healthy again. "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Phillipians 2:3-4. Fezzik was very humble and served everyone BUT himself.
DeleteWow Abby, I didn't realize that, and you make a good point about him. Thanks for correcting me.
DeleteI totally agree with you, Mikey, but I think that Fezzik and Inigo were hired to show their strengths to ruin others. They only did it because they were paid and wanted vengeance. These are not good reasons, but Vezzini is worse because serves himself by trying to start a war by stealing the princess. He is the most prideful because he wants to ruin many lives and families, just because the prince pays him to, and can live with himself after. He can't actually because Westley saves the princess, and she reunites with Westley only to attempt to save him from the prince. She loves him but uses her beauty to convince the prince not to kill him and also makes the prince a.) jealous of Westley and b.) devise a plan to make himself marry Buttercup, get away with killing Buttercup, and not let Buttercup kill herself. All these fail, but were technically all done because of Buttercup. Westley is not humble because he believes he can save the princess from what she doesn't want to happen. He saves her because he wants her for himself. Humility is shown when Westley respects and does not kill, only knocks out the giant and Inigo.
ReplyDeleteSam I confused when you say were talking about the sins the Prince did and then said “All these fail, but were technically all done because of Buttercup.” I am confused by this because in the Trojan war Helen was so beautiful that it made Kings jealous of the one who married her so he took her to his kingdom. After this the kings join side with the robbed king and go to war against Troy. In this 10 year war many people die. Then would this technically be all Helen’s fault?
DeleteSam - Did you mean Humperdinck when you said the most prideful? He was the one starting the war. I also wonder at blaming Buttercup. . . .
DeleteI somewhat disagree with you, Sam, but you've been putting out some good thoughts.All of the men were hired to kidnap Buttercup, but I understand why you said Vizzini serves himself by trying to start a war. But wasn't that Humperdink's plan? That's the reason he hired the group, and so later he has to come up with the plan to marry Buttercup then kill her on the honeymoon. I am also confused on how Buttercup uses her beauty to save Wesley. I thought that Humperdink just didn't want to go against his betrothed, but then her beauty would be intertwined into the matter too, since he chose her to marry him because of it.
DeleteHumperdinck hired Vizzini to start the war and so Vizzini would not be the 'most' prideful. Humperdinck obviously shows his sin in a "glamorous' way.
DeleteI had meant Humperdink was most prideful. Sorry for the confusion.
DeleteFezzik uses his strength to help himself as well as others. In the beginning of the movie, Vizzini orders Fezzik to kill Wesley. He was supposed to throw a large rock at his head, which would kill him. Instead, Fezzik throws the rock near his head for a warning. They agree to fight with no weapons. Using the brains Wesley has against Fezzik he is able to defeat him, but not kill him. Here Wesley showed mercy when he could have easily killed Fezzik. Luckily he didn't because later Fezzik uses his strength and height to help Wesley. Fezzik uses his strength by knocking down and intimidating other guards. As well as knocking down doors so Inigo can chase after the man who killed his father. I think that Vizzini is most prideful because he always thinks that he is smarter. Also that nobody can fool him. Also Humperdinck is most prideful because he has an army and control over a lot of people's lives. He also isn't humble about being a great hunter. Sam, I don't think that humility was shown when Wesley didn't kill Fezzik and Inigo. I feel like that would be more mercy. I agree with the rest though.
ReplyDeleteTo Izzy Baxter:
DeleteI completely agree with you. I never thought about how the mercy of Wesley and Fezzik were the only reason that Buttercup was rescued. But I think that when Wesley didn't kill Fezzik and Inigo, while it could definitely be considered grace, it could also be considered humility as well. If he wanted to show everyone that he was the best and most skilled, he could have easily killed them. I thought that not killing them was a humble thing to do. I don't know for sure if I am right, but I think there might be some signs of humility in this part of the movie.
Wow Rachel! When I first read your comment, I was confused and had no idea how humility was shown here. Now that you have explained it though, it makes since to me. Thank you!
DeleteAlso, do you think that you could apply the verse: Proverbs 15:33
DeleteThe fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.- to this? I believe that (since you have now clarified your thoughts) this verse says you have to be humble and patient to wait for " a good ending." Wesley didn't kill Fezzik and Inigo, which was good or he most likely wouldn't have saved Princess Buttercup. Anyway, Wesley didn't kill them, which could be considered humility, and therefore he got what he wanted in the end. I'm not saying that if your humble you will always be rewarded. However in the case of a fairytale, the humble underdog will most likely win.
Fezzik and Inigo used their strengths to serve themselves at first, but after meeting Wesley they used them to help save Buttercup. I think Humperdink is the most prideful because he thinks he can do whatever he wants. For example, he wants Buttercup all to himself even though she doesn't even love him. Also, Wesley showed humility of heart when he risked his life to save Buttercup.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mikey. Westley did save Buttercup from her kidnappers, and although it looks like he is helping others with his talents, he saved her for his own benefit. The action he took was right, but his thoughts and motive were selfish. On another note, Inigo's father was killed. Although this is a horrible tragedy, he became blinded with rage. All he wanted was to kill his father's killer. He said it was for his father, but it seems that most of it was for self-benefit.
ReplyDeleteAny Scripture you think of that can apply to this situation?
ReplyDeleteI think the most prideful character was definitely Vizzini, when he was with Westly he was bragging about how he was always right and how he always won and was very confident in himself. It is fine if you are confident but his level was over the top, he was sure of the fact that he would win even though he did not. He did not use his strength for others but for himself.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Christine. Vizzini may have been gifted, but that is no reason to go bragging about his gift.
DeleteJeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches."
God gave us our gifts to use to glorify him. And who are we to boast? We didn't give our talents to ourselves, but it was a gift from God. No man has the right to boast. Vizzini definitely had no right to boast, considering he ended up dying.
Most of the characters used their skill set to serve themselves. However, I think that when Fezzik and Inigo went into the castle to rescue Buttercup, that wasn't selfish. I would also agree with Mikey in that throughout this movie, overconfidence made them lose a lot of their fights. I thought that the most prideful character out of all was Vizzini because he always thought that he was better and smarter than his opponent. This pride eventually got him killed. Proverbs 16:18 says: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." I didn't really think that there was very much humility throughout this movie. Although I did think it was humble when Wesley didn't kill Inigo and Fezzik. He could have easily but he let them live.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think it was humble to let Inigo and Fezzik live? I thought it would be more mercy.
DeleteHigher up Blake answers that question a little.
DeleteI said in my comment that Inigo was blinded with rage. I have found some verses that show why this is a sin. In Romans 12:19-21, it says,
ReplyDelete"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.
On the contrary,
'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This means that Inigo was wrong in taking his own vengeance. Instead of caring for his enemy, he killed him in the end, just for the closure. He should have treated his enemy with complete and utter kindness, but he did not do this.
(Out of the Concordia Study Bible; NIV)
DeleteGood verses here and good use of a concordance :)
DeleteI also agree with Mikey except about Fezzik and Inigo. They at first served themselves and Vizzini, but later on in the movie changed.All the others mainly served themselves, except Westley, he served Buttercup only for love. I believe Humperdinck is the most prideful because e believes since he's king, he can have whatever he wants, like Buttercup for example. He tried to kill Westley for her, and she still didn't love him.He also believed that he was stronger and better but he was actually weaker than everyone else in the movie. There was no humility shown in this movie. I have to agree with Izzy though, there was some mercy shown when Westley didn't kill Inigo and Fezzik.
ReplyDeleteWestley, Inigo and Fezzik use different gifts (brains, skill and brawn) to defeat Humperdinck. They each say that they couldn’t have done it alone. When they reach the top of the cliff, they all split up and work together as a team. If they had been prideful, they probably would have never saved Buttercup.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says that we are to use our different gifts for God (one church body with many members each with a different function and meant to serve others) in Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:13-27 (all baptized by one Spirit into one body).
I think that Humperdink is the most prideful, because he only thinks of himself. Princess Buttercup doesn’t love him, but he doesn’t care. He still want her all to himself. I don’t think there is any humility in him.
To M. Lee
ReplyDeleteHumperdink didn't want Princess Buttercup because she was pretty, he wanted her so that he could show his people that he found a beautiful maiden and that he "loved" her. Really he just wanted to show his people "Hey, I am getting a pretty wife!" and then he would murder her and blame it on the other kingdom and then he would go to war with them. Other than Humperdink being a really good tracker, all he had was power, not skills, not passion. He had power. He went out to his people acting all humble and nice. In reality I believe that he was the most prideful. He wasn't as upfront about it as Vizzini. He devised a plan to make it look like he was going to war with the other kingdom for a reason so that his people would think that their cause was just and that they would be proud to avenge their queen. Sure Vizzini was prideful about how smart he was and how all the famous scientists of that time were idiots compared to him, but we backstabbed and really was just a snabby little mercinary. Yes, Humperdink was also a backstabbing jerk, he boasted about it to his duke guy. But overall Humperdink was more willing to be upfront whereas Vizzini would sacrifice others to keep him safe. For heavens sake, Humperdink wet his pants when he heard what Wesley would do to him and his limbs in that game or whatever they talked about in the end. I would say that Fezzik was the most humble person in the movie. Sure he helped Vizzini and was on Humperdinks brute squad but he always helped out, he always took the dirty job, and he never questioned his authorities.
To M. Mckinnis
DeleteI am not sure if you are agreeing or disagreeing with me on some points. As I stated above, I agree that Humperdinck was the most prideful. Although he didn’t truly love Buttercup and just wanted to win favor with the common people, it would have been an embarrassment to him had his bride been ugly. When I say that he wants her “all to himself,” perhaps it would be more accurately stated, that he wanted her “all to his purposes.”
I liked your statements about Vizzini and Fezzik.
To M. Mckinnis and M. Lee
DeleteI agree when you say that Humperdinck was prideful, but I don’t think that he was the most prideful person in this movie. Because when Wesley was sitting on the Prince’s bed waiting for him to come in and make a bluff to make the Prince think that he could fight when really he couldn’t. Humperdinck comes in and then he surrenders instead of fighting. If he would have fought Wesley then I would agree with you both because being prideful means having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy. With this definition then it shows that Humperdinck was prideful earlier in the movie,but right then the prideful thing to do would have been to call his bluff and attack. Now I think the most Prideful person in the movie was Vizzini, because he put his opinion before everyone elses which is being arrogant, and because of his arrogance he payed the ultimate price by dying if he would have just given him Buttercup all would have been fine and he would have lived.
I think that Humperdink was very selfish, he only cared about what he wanted and didnt care if anyone wanted something. He chose to marry Buttercup even though she did not love him, he should have considered her opinion and choice instead of deciding for her. I also feel as if he wanted to be in control at all times like when he was mad and he put the the machine that was hooked up on Westly on the highest level even though he was not supposed to. In Romans 2:8 it says that those who are self-seeking will recieve wrath and fury. He did end up getting punished because he ended up not being able to have Buttercup as his wife.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he hooked up Westley to the machine because he wanted to be in control, I think that was because he took his love,Buttercup, away from him.-But otherwise, I like and agree with the rest.
DeleteI don't think he wanted to be in control when he set the machine to the highest setting, I think he did it because Westley took his love, Buttercup away from him.- Otherwise,I like and agree with the rest.
DeleteHumperdinck was never in love with Buttercup. If he was he never would have wanted to kill her once they were married and at the honeymoon sweet to frame her death on Gildar to start a war. Also he did set up Wesley to the machine to be in control, because if he would have let Wesley go then he would be keeping his promise, and Wesley would have come back because Buttercup was his true love. Instead he keeps him so that he won’t come back until Buttercup is dead and the war has started. Also when he put it to the highest setting that was supposed to kill him. If it would have worked and Wesley was dead then he never would have stormed the castle, and all Humperdinck worked on wouldn’t have gone down the drain.
DeleteAll of the characters use there strengths to their use at some point. Inigo uses his good sword fighting to kill the count and take revenge for his father. Fezzik uses his strength to get in good with Vizzini. Vizzini attempts to win at wits just to be beaten by Wesley. Wesley wins back Buttercup with his ability to win as an underdog. Buttercup uses her beauty in the first part to get Wesley (farm boy) to do here chores for her. Humperdinck uses his ability to track down to find Buttercup so he can kill her. All in all most of the characters use there strengths for themselves and not for others. The exception being when Wesley went in to the quick sand and used his strength to get Buttercup out of the Quicksand. Humperdinck Is the most prideful he is all about how he is the best hunter in all of the world. At the ends he says he has never been insulted. He has defiantly been pampered and is very prideful.
ReplyDeleteI think you mean they use their strengths to serve Westley. They did it because they either felt bad for Westley or they wanted to make him happy. I think Buttercup was not using her beauty for Westley to serve her, but to get Westley to love her. He was most likely a servant to her ancestors from the time he was a baby, as I assume he was given to serve the family. Also, Westley saved Buttercup because he idolizes her. It is not a good reason.
DeleteTo M. Lee
ReplyDeleteThey all definitely use different abilities to help in the saving of buttercup. But Inigo Has his mind set on killing the Count and when they get to the Castle he make Fezzik leave Wesley(who had been mostly dead all day) alone just so he can go after the Count. Fezzik and Wesley are definitely wanting to save Buttercup, but Inigo just wants to kill the count and if they have time they could save the Girl is what Inigo thinks.
I agree I think Vizzini was super prideful. He never thought of anyone but himself and his cockiness lead me to be not-so-sad when he died. I think he might have been able to keep his team more together if he was less prideful. I think his pride made it easy for Fezzik and Inigo to easily want to work with Wesley because he was fair and more humble. Even though Vizzini had a major pride issue I think Humperdinck was worse because he took his pride and used it to put others in fear and harm them.
ReplyDeleteOverall the characters do not use their strengths to serve no one but themselves. The only ones that use their strengths to serve others are Wesley and Fezzik. Wesley uses his talents to save the princess and to help get Inigo into the castle. Fezzik never really does things solely for himself. At first he does everything as Vizzini says, except for how he fights Wesley, and then he helps get Wesley and Inigo into the castle. I think Humperdink is the most prideful by far because he thought there was no one who could come close to harming him therefore he could do whatever he wanted to. The only humble heart I can find is Fezzik because he just along for the ride, he is there for a fair fight, and he is humble with his abilities.
ReplyDeleteGo cards!
ReplyDeleteI think the only person with a truly humble heart is Fezzik. He scares people off so he can save his friends, and he didn't kill Westley right away, either. He's a gentle giant, and he doesn't scare people to show off. He does it only so he can help.
ReplyDeleteWestley is also humble, but I don't think his heart is. He has humble intentions, but most of them are just for Buttercup. He never really did help his friends for any reason except to save Buttercup. It's hard to tell whether he's humble or prideful, though, just because the way his character is. He does everything amazingly, and though he never does talk about it or brag, he has this look on his face that makes it seem like he's thinking "I'm awesome."
The most prideful character is definitely Prince Humperdinck. He had a plan to start war, and if I'm correct, it was so he could gain more power than he already has. Every step of his plan has pride in it:
Step 1: Force beautiful princess to marry him
"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered." - 1 Peter 3:7
Step 2: Kill princess
"In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, 'Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.'" -2 Samuel 11:14-15
Step 3: Blame murder of princess on another country
"for each one should carry their own load." -Galatians 6:5
Step 4: Go to war with said country
"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel." -James 4:1-2
Step 5: Gain power
"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." -1 Chronicles 29:11
As you can see, the bible disagrees with all of Prince Humperdinck's prideful acts, and his pride is the root of his entire personality.
Wow Abby! You really put a lot of thought into this! Brilliant! What you said about Wesley being somewhat prideful is mind-bending, I never would have thought of it that way!
DeleteFirst off, I agree with anybody who says that Vizzini and Montoya serve themselves, one with wits and the other with sword-fighting, and that Wesley helps/saves Buttercup to serve himself. I disagree with the people who said that Fezzik served himself. In Question #3-Appearances, Ms. Ritzema says in her comment that Fezzik is “the slow but sweet giant”, so why would he serve himself his he has a kind outlook? Look at what he does in the movie: in his battle with Wesley, he plays fairly and right at the beginning he show mercy and he saves Montoya from the Prince’s forces when they are raiding the forest. So why would he serve himself? In the battle with Wesley, he could have killed him off easily, but he didn’t. He could have left Montoya to die or be captured, but he didn’t. I also think he is the humblest character, he hardly speaks and I don’t remember hearing him boast. Fezzik did what he knew was fair or benefitting to others. As a lot of you have said already, I believe that Humperdink was the most prideful. First of all, the war he wanted to start, I think it was because he wanted to show off his fighting skills and hunting skills. I think he also chose Buttercup to show off and say, “Look at me! I have the prettiest wife!” Vizzini comes in second, because he believed he was the smartest man ever, but I think that he because has little screen time, he isn’t first.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the fact that Fezzini was really humble and selfless throughout the whole movie. Also, Prince Humperdinck was the most selfish! He made Buttercup get married tho I'm, even though he knew that she didn't want to. He didn't care what she wanted because he was to focused on getting what he wanted, and no one would interfere with that. Although, Fezzini was very kind and humble. He cared for and protected Buttercup. He used his size and strength to their advantage. He protected them and was a great "bodyguard." Throughout the whole movie, he wasn't self-absorbed like Humperdinck.
ReplyDeleteLauren- I love what you said about Vizzini, Montoya, and Fezzik! I think that was a great answer! I defiantly think that multiple times during the movie, Fezzik did kind things even when they didn't benefit him in anyways. I think this is how God wants us to act. He wants us to care for other even when we don't get attention or a reward because of it. We should just do nice things for others, because we know that God wants us to care for our siblings in Christ.
ReplyDelete