Motif of Rebirth and Resurrection
The most persistent recurring motif that runs throughout the narrative and touches upon most of the major characters is that of resurrection and rebirth. The most obvious instance from a physical perspective is Westley’s dual resurrections. First, he comes back from the seeming dead as the Dread Pirate Roberts and then he literally comes back from the death thanks to the magic of Miracle Max and true love. On a more abstract level, however, consider that Buttercup considers herself a member of the walking dead upon hearing the news of Westley’s first alleged demise, but is reborn at the moment of revelation of the identity of the mysterious man in black. Inigo, too, is brought back from emotional death first through committing himself to vengeance against the six-fingered man and then when his encounter with the man in black sets him back on the straight and narrow and away from his criminal dealings. The same goes for Fezzik, of course.
Iocane Powder
The battle of wits that takes place between the man in black and Vizzini turns out to be something completely different than what Vizzini believes it to be. Vizzini thinks it is a game of psychological superiority (if he can penetrate into the type of person his opponent is, he can guess correctly which cup holds the poison). The surprise climax to this battle is that all along it has really been a test of physical powers rather than mental powers. The key to winning what seems a dangerous game relatively even odds is twofold: foresight and tolerance. Had Vizzini had the foresight to imagine that one day his very life might come down to such an inconceivably risky wager, he too could have starting slowly building up his tolerance to the poison. Ultimately, then, iocane becomes a sublime symbol for all the obstacles to success that would be more easily overcome if only one had the foresight to prepare for their arrival as well as the necessity for building up a tolerance to all the toxic aspects of existence.
The Six-Fingered Sword
The beautiful work of art crafted by Domingo Montoya for the six-fingered man does not leave with him. Instead, the unusual weapon remains the property of the five-fingered Inigo Montoya. Unusual among famous literary swords, it is not the blade that endows it with symbolism. Instead, it is the curious construction of the grip on the hilt specifically tailored to provide perfect balance only to a man with six fingers. The key to the symbolism here is the grip: the sword has a grip on Inigo’s very soul, not allowing him to let go and get past the grief of losing his father and forcing him by the very act of possession to continue his quest for vengeance until it has been achieved.
Zoo of Death
Those only familiar with this story through the film adaptation may be scratching their heads in wonder at the symbol of the Zoo of Death. Too complicated to realize on the relatively low budget afforded the filmmakers, the Zoo of Death is the central symbol allowing insight into the mind of Prince Humperdinck. Proud to the point of narcissism in his skills as a hunter, the Zoo of Death is really less a zoo than a massive holding pen where all animals of increasingly dangerous predatory power are kept until Humperdinck fixes the safari, so to speak. Like another famous hunter, Humperdinck has a special place reserve for the most dangerous game and it is no coincidence that Westley winds up the occupant there amongst the beasts. The Zoo of Death is really just Humperdinck’s pathetic attempt to enforce a domain where he has complete control over everything because he recognizes that he is utterly ill-equipped to deal with the uncontrollable aspects of the kingdom he is terrified of inheriting.
The Fire Swamp
The Fire Swamp belongs to that long tradition of dangerously nightmarish landscapes that ordinary people must traverse during their quest before they are deserving of carrying the mantle of hero. The Fire Swamp is the dark, murky, mysterious land of abominable creatures and unseen obstacles capable of ending the quest in the blink of an eye. Those not deserving of becoming heroes reject the need to enter while only those who make their way can ever fulfill the quest.
