Objective: Demonstrate understanding of narrative structure and character archetypes as they relate to The Princess Bride.
1. Read aloud from p.210 - 212 (Westley's explains his alternative identity as the Dread Pirate Roberts).
Why does Westley assume the identity of the pirate? Why is this persona successful? Together, using examples from the text as well as other cultural and literary sources, identify some key characteristics and traits needed as a pirate (How does a pirate dress/walk/talk? Attitudes toward women?) Explain that these common characteristics form an "archetype", a character that can easily be identified in a wide range of works. Ask for some examples of archetypes from film--how does the audience identify the "bad guy"?
2. In groups of four, students will move around to different stations based on a single character type found in fairy tales (i.e. the princess, the ogre/giant, the hero, the evil stepmother etc) and complete a chart with common characteristics, symbols, and intertextual connections. Centres will switch every 10 - 15 minutes, depending on how fast students are working.
3. When all students have completed the stations, ask each group to briefly present their examples to the rest of the class. Are there other archetypes that could have been included int he chart? Which ones can be found in The Princess Bride?
