I want to get some people's input on a quote in Princess Bride. I've seen the movie a million times, but got to thinking about this quote.

It's the scene right when Westley and Buttercup exit the fireswamp. There is dialogue between Humperdinck/Rugen and Westley/Buttercup.

After Rugen tells Westley to come so they can take him to his ship, Westely says to Count Rugen, "We are men of action. Lies do not become us."

Any thoughts?

What is it about the quote that you're thinking of? I always just took it for what its worth, that Rugen carried on the lie that he was going to take Westley to his ship when it was obvious that was not the case, so Westley basically replies "you don't have to lie, i know whats going to happen"

That is what I take the quote for on the surface, but it just sounds so cool, there has to be some deeper meaning.

I'm sort of confused on the "men of action" part. Where does the action come into play?

He's a lover not a fighter.

William Goldman is a GOD. That is why the line sounds so cool. fumanstan has the interpretation exactly right IMO.

Yeah, I don't think there is any deeper meaning either.

I'm just wondering why Goldman said it like that. When Westley says "We" he is implying that he and Rugen both share that trait, being a man of "action". Maybe he said "We" because both he and Rugen both know that Rugen is lying, but I think he says "We" because he and Rugen are alike in some fashion.

What does the "action" part mean? Does he mean they don't place credibility in words until they are acted upon? They only believe in "actions"?

No, I believe that they both are simple men and that "politics", or lying is not what they believe in. If they want something they take action and get it. They say what they will do and do what they will say. They are men of action and their word. Dishonorable practices such as lying do not become them. Unlike Prince humperdink.

Except for his use of the word "simple", this is what I was going to say.

I mean 'simple' in the terms that they are not complicated. I will do what I say and what is honorable. I won't twist words and manipulate people to get what I want.

That isn't the case for Rugen however, as he is a liar and dishonerable. Although i guess Westley hadn't noticed the 6 fingers yet... then again he has no reason to assume that Rugen is an honerable man as he works for the Prince.

Rugen a liar? He does act on Humperdink's orders, as a good hired soldier should. His minor subterfuge with Westley was for the benefit of Buttercup to insure her cooperation. Westley's assumption of Rugen's honor was simply recognition of a fellow skilled warrior and the integrity that such a level requires. Rugen's faults include callousness and egotism (the same could be said of Westley at times), but not dishonor.

"Holy Over-analysis, Batman! I believe we've stumbled into the lair of Undergraduate Lit Majors!"

"I think I can get us out of this one, old chum. If...I could...just...reach my...utility belt!"

"Not so fast!"

"So, you're the one behind all this...my old nemesis: The Deconstructor!"

Rugen is a liar. Remember, he's the one who offered Inigo's father a certain amount of money only to come back with an off of... i forget how much, half?

Ok, I guess I'll need to take the DVD out of shrink wrap and watch it. It used to be my favorite.

READ THE BOOK!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...264435-2730324

In this edition linked above, the opening to Buttercup's Baby is included. It is a great beach read especially if you loved the movie!

One tenth his promised price. That shows callousness and egotism, perhaps a large dose of bullying, but not simple dishonesty. He killed Inigo's father when the new low offer was refused, and then left the sword with Inigo after he cut his face. Rugen is a mean and twisted bastard, don't get me wrong, but to label him as a mere liar is to tell only one tenth of the tale,

The book is great, i read it recently, although Buttercup's Baby was a dissapointment

But as for Rugen, that seems like blatent dishonesty to me, going back on his word.

I have it on fairly good authority that Rugen was a socialist who mutilated kittens for amusement.

No kidding.

Re: the quote from The Princess Bride

I quote from Barcelona

Fred: Maybe you can clarify something for me. Since I've been, you know, waiting for the fleet to show up, I've read a lot, and--

Ted: Really?

Fred: And one of the things that keeps popping up is this about "subtext." Plays, novels, songs: they all have a "subtext," which I take to mean a hidden message or import of some kind. So subtext we know. But what do you call the message or meaning that's right there on the surface, completely open and obvious? They never talk about that. What do you call what's above the subtext?

Ted: The text.

Fred: OK, that's right, but they never talk about that.