Throughout the novel many different relationships are introduced; the complexity of the relationship depends on whether its between friends or lovers. Women are shown to be bossy and the men comply to every demand. Similarly in marriage the wife constantly nags making the relationship seem like there is no love between them. Love between friends exudes unconditional positive regard and a support system. In the father and son relationship love is verbal, but also seen through how the son looks up to his father. Gender roles within the novel The Princess Bride by William Goldman makes male and female relationships seem harsh and unloving compared to the relationships between two male friends, although both relationships depend on love and support.
First, Goldman introduces the relationship between Buttercup and Westley shows the reader that the female character is the one who's always bossy and hard-headed. Buttercup storms into Westley's home and demands he continue working "I want him glistening, and if it takes you all night, it takes all night" (Goldman 54). All Westley every replies to her demands with is "as you wish" (Goldman 54). From an outside perspective the exchange is unloving, but Westley confesses the meaning behind as you wish "Every time you…show more content… Both men play off of one another's strengths to move forward in their journey. Inigo and Fezzik get split up and are miserable, but the two are reunited and Inigo says "you understand nothing, but it really doesn't matter, since what you mean is, you're glad to see me, just as I'm glad to see you because that means no more loneliness" (Goldman 277). The love between Inigo and Fezzik is obviously loving because they're not just friends they're like brothers. Relationships similar to Inigo and Fezzik are easier to comprehend; since readers can relate to a love that closely relates to family instead of
