At the start of The Princess Bride, the grandpa explains that every time Westley says "as you wish," what he really means is "I love you." As Buttercup's farmhand, she calls Westley "Farmboy" and doesn't care about his feelings or how she treats him. Still, after every request she makes of him, he always replies, "As you wish." When Westley leaves on an excursion at sea and fails to return, Buttercup assumes he has died. However, he survives and becomes a pirate and eventually sets out to rescue his love from a horrible life with an evil prince.
"As you wish" is one of the most memorable quotes from The Princess Bride — along with Inigo Montoya's "Prepare to die!" and Vizzini's "Inconceivable!" Westley's line is what shows his iration for Buttercup before he can truly tell her how he feels for her. Throughout the movie, "As you wish" is said six times, but Westley only says the line four times.
Westley Says "As You Wish" At The Start Of The Princess Bride
The Princess Bride is narrated by a grandpa reading to his grandson, and the old man explains why Westley saying "as you wish" is important to the story. It's his way of fulfilling Buttercup's needs because he secretly loves her. The first time Westley says, "as you wish" is when Buttercup asks him to polish her horse's saddle. She doesn't start out with feelings for Westley, but it's clear there is potential for romance due to his devotion to Buttercup.
Westley Says His Line As Buttercup Starts Showing Him Respect
The second time Westley says his classic line in The Princess Bride is when Buttercup asks him to fill two large buckets of water, but this time, her demand is different. After taking a longer look at Westley, she adds "please" at the end, insinuating that she is viewing him in a different light and respecting him a little more — if not also fancying him as more than just her farmhand. The narrating grandfather then confirms that every time Westley says "as you wish" to Buttercup, he really means "I love you." It's this scene where feelings between the two change and set up the premise for the movie.
Westley Says His Line The Moment Buttercup Realizes She Loves Him
The narrative framing of The Princess Bride is brilliant because a grandfather is reading the story to his grandson while it plays out on screen. His explanation of the events makes it easier to follow along. A great example of this is when the grandpa reveals the moment Buttercup falls in love with Westley. After making up an excuse to ask Westley for a water pitcher, he once again says, "As you wish." But he lingers until both of their facial expressions make it known that there is love between them. From there, the grandfather notes that the two begin their relationship, which leads to tragedy and romance.
Westley Says "As You Wish" To Reveal His Identity To Buttercup
Five years after Westley disappears, he saves Buttercup from her kidnappers, yet she doesn't realize it's him because he's disguised, and also she believes he is dead. Considering how much they love each other, it's a less-than-perfect moment for Buttercup and Westley in The Princess Bride that she doesn't recognize him with just a mask over his eyes -- even from his voice. Westley first identifies himself to Buttercup as the Man in Black. Thinking he is yet another villain trying to kidnap her, Buttercup pushes Westley down a hill. As he rolls down, he yells, "As you wish!" It's then that she realizes the man is her Westley.
