How does Buttercup become a princess?
In the beginning of the movie, Buttercup is a peasant like Westley is. Five years later, she is the princess of Florin without explanation. What does the book say about that?
shareDon't know about the book, but the movie explains it: The King announces to his people that he want to marry a commoner like them, and make her royal... that is it. He just chooses a chick from his fold. We can assume he does this to connect his kingdom better together or something... when he announces this he also announces it is in connection with the 500 year anniversary of his country... so I suppose it has something to do with unity or other... anyway, the movie explains that the king want to marry a commoner and so she becomes a princess-to-be.
shareHAL 9010, your ending is my point. After the opening Buttercup is engaged to Humperdinck, who is the prince, not king, but the wedding never takes place. Still, everyone bows to Buttercup and calls her 'Your Highness'. The young woman is referred to as 'Princess Buttercup' upon her introduction to Florin, but needs to marry the prince before holding that title.
shareYes, my bad. He was a prince.
Since the title is: Princess Bride... well, isn’t she? I mean a “bride” is by definition not yet... so technically she is not a Princess she is a “Princess Bride”... aka a Princess to be. Splitting hairs perhaps, but it could redeem your valid point. No ?
As a comparison, those who for example engage British Royalty are treated royally even before becoming officially tilted.... weak, I know. :)
In that case, Florin is a kingdom that will for some odd reason honor future titles of the fiancées of royalty. Buttercup never becomes a princess after all. Thank you, HAL 9010. I'm glad that you recognize the bottom line of my question which is so readily accepted that many members of the audience don't think about it.
shareIt can also be seen as that was her relative title.
She's a farm girl from nowhere thrust into the spotlight because she's the bride of the prince - or soon to be - so what will she be referred to when people gossip (because you can't refer her by her name, they probably don't know it) - the princess bride. Or maybe it's a cheeky reference to classic fairytale's where the woman is always some imperilled princess and/or destined to be a bride.
Prince Humperdinck is so arrogant and self-centered that he wants to immediately bring his chosen bride to his social level. That supports his decision in the first place which is based on the agreement that Buttercup is the most beautiful young lady in the kingdom. That is smart, Mavican, and probably right. Thank you.
shareI like your answer better! Haha. I also think maybe the author, who is obviously taking the piss of all the cliched characters, just made her a princess because in fairytales it's always a princess.
shareThank you, but I thought that it was what you meant too when you said 'relative title'. I was paraphrasing your idea and calling it smart. Did I accidentally get the answer from you?
shareEh, i think were trying to apply to much logic to this movie, let's just say it's somewhere between the two haha.
shareOkay. You're also talking about how the story is to some degree a parody of fairy tales despite it being one. That allows a peasant suddenly being promoted to princess to speak for itself.
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