The Importance Of Setting In William Goldman's 'The Princess Bride'

As displayed throughout history, many beautiful places can be completely man-made, including those that are imaginary. Yet sometimes, even imaginary settings can become more hazardous and realer than anticipated. William Goldman’s The Princess Bride, wholly illustrates this concept by utilizing its intriguing and recurring setting, the Zoo of Death. The process of incorporating both the setting and plot is no easy feat, yet Goldman intertwines both the dire setting of death and the bond of friendship. This dire fate is caused by a Prince with a twisted heart and merciless soul, intent on fulfilling his own greedy desires for war and death. In The Princess Bride, the Zoo of Death is important because it conveys the unbreakable friendship between

The cruel death of the Ape is more accepted and considered natural delivered by Prince Humperdinck, although it was painful and unfair, similar to Prince Humperdinck. Therefore, the Zoo of Death adds more depth and horror, not only to itself, but to its owner as well. The Princess Bride contains a remarkable setting of the Zoo of Death used for the twisted mind of Prince Humperdinck, but also for the blossoming friendship of Fezzik and Inigo on their mission. Shining brightly in the dimly lit Zoo of Death, Fezzik and Inigo conquer their intense fear while growing together, a pivotal point in their quest. On the other hand, Golman uses the zoo for darker purposes, divulging Prince Humperdinck’s inhuman nature, making him a true hunter. Just as how a prison creates either hardened criminals or reformed citizens, Golman’s Zoo of Death creates depth to its own characters in The Princess Bride, either positively or negatively. Time and time again it is proven that spaces and settings of beauty and wonder may also have a darker side, including those that are imaginary, yet will forever remain engraved in