You Killed My Anger, Prepare to Die

"Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory."


---Sun Tzu


Early in life, I loved the movie, The Princess Bride.  Whereas most movies featured grownups doing grownup things, this one began with a child’s experience.  I think I appreciated that as a five year old. 

My favorite part of the movie has not changed.  If you’ve never seen the movie, don’t read further. 

When Inigo Montoya finally faces the man who killed his father, he quickly loses the fight.  Overcome by emotion, he chases the seven-fingered man down a hallway and is surprised.  This clip begins at that moment. 

 How does Inigo defeat the seven-fingered man?  He does not catch him off guard, he’s standing right in front of him.  He doesn’t use superior technique, he’s stabbed twice before deflecting any shot. 

His defeat has given him time to pause.  No longer pressured by a personal promise to avenge his father, he’s now fighting for different reasons. 

Perhaps his initial motivation was selfish.  Forever haunted by his father’s death, he felt killing the seven-fingered man would bring him validation.  His need for this peace drove him to act foolishly: it brought him a knife in the belly.   

Now, he cannot cling to his rage because he has bigger problems.  Rather than fighting for vengeance, he now fights for his life.   

Having let go of the storyline of revenge, he now says the same sentence he’s practiced his whole life:  “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”  The phrase, originally intended as a triumphant message delivered in revenge now becomes an anchor keeping him alive.  With each repeat, Inigo defeats the seven-fingered man. 

He didn’t use an elaborate strategy or suddenly become incredibly strong.  No one entered to save him. 

Alone and facing the end, Inigo Montoya paid attention.  And he walked out alive.      

What do you think?  Post your ideas in the comments section.