One of the most iconic lines in The Princess Bride is Inigo Montoya's "prepare to die" speech to the man who killed his father. In the movie, Princess Buttercup is kidnapped by the criminal mastermind Vizzini and his two henchmen, Inigo and Fezzik. However, Inigo is only briefly one of the antagonists, ultimately revealing that he has a big heart and doesn't actually believe in the kidnapping. In fact, all Inigo wants is to avenge his father.

During a sword fight with Buttercup's true love, Westley, Inigo shares that his father was killed years ago by a six-fingered man. He then goes on to explain one of the most memorable quotes in The Princess Bride. Inigo made it his life's mission to become a master swordsman, find the six-fingered man, and tell him, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." That six-fingered man turns out to be Count Tyrone Rugen, the right-hand of the evil Prince Humperdinck. Inigo eventually comes face-to-face with the man who killed his father and exacts revenge with his most memorable line, which he utters six times.

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Inigo First Says His Line To Westley

Inigo challenging Westley to a duel on The Princess Bride

After kidnapping Princess Buttercup, Inigo, Fezzik, and Vizzini are followed by a mysterious "Man in Black." While the others flee, Inigo is ordered to stay behind and challenge the masked man to a duel. This scene features some of the best quotes in The Princess Bride, as both men converse and compliment each other on their swordplay while trying to kill each other. Before their duel even begins, Inigo reveals that he's such a good swordsman because he's been practicing for the day he avenges his father's death. When that day comes, he will tell his adversary, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

While Inigo starts as a low-key villain, he quickly becomes one of the most likable "bad guys" in history. Even the Man in Black, who turns out to be Princess Buttercup's devoted Westley, can't bring himself to kill Inigo after defeating him in the duel. Inigo has so much heart and misses his father, but he's also a tortured soul. Once he kills the man who killed his father, he will be at peace.

Inigo Says "Prepare To Die" When He Comes Face-To-Face With The Six-Fingered Man

Inigo challenging Rugen to a duel on The Princess Bride

By the time The Princess Bride arrives at the real location of Prince Humperdinck's castle, Inigo is no longer an antagonist. He's joined Westley on his mission to save Princess Buttercup after she's taken hostage by her evil fiancé. Once inside, Inigo sees the six-fingered man — Count Tyrone Rugen — for the first time. Knowing this is the man who killed his father, Inigo says the line he's spent most of his life practicing: "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Surprisingly, Rugen runs away instead of fighting, but Inigo chases him until it's just them and their swords. And their duel begins.

Inigo Says His Line Again When He's Down

Inigo stabbed in a duel on The Princess Bride

Fighting the six-fingered Count Rugen, Inigo is stabbed twice in a short amount of time. With a dagger in his belly and a shoulder wound, Inigo doesn't seem to have much energy to fight back, but after repeating his "prepare to die" line to Rugen, he has a purpose again. This shows great strength in his character and is a reminder of why he is there in the first place.

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Inigo Says His Line Again When He's Up Against A Wall

Inigo and Rugen fighting with swords on The Princess Bride

With a few sword wounds and slashes to his ego, Inigo again begins to lose hope of killing Count Rugen. Using the wall for support, every time Rugen charges him, Inigo props himself back up. If he gives up, he won't fulfill his life's mission. With his father's legacy in mind, Inigo says, "Prepare to die," with every jab he gives. At that point, Rugen doesn't know how Inigo is still alive. He is both impressed and annoyed.

Inigo Says His Line Again After Growing Strength

Inigo and Rugen fighting in the castle with swords on The Princess Bride

Rugen becomes annoyed by Inigo at the end of The Princess Bride due to how many times the swordsman says, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." With so many blows, it doesn't make sense that Inigo is still alive. Rugen becomes frustrated that none of his sword jabs are killing Inigo, and his frustration grows every time Inigo says his line. Rugen eventually screams, "Stop saying that!" which only proves that, though Inigo is injured, he is winning the fight. At this stage, Inigo shows tremendous strength and perseverance.

Inigo Says "Prepare To Die" With His Final Blow

Rugen slashed on his face and bleeding on The Princess Bride

While Westley and Fezzik are elsewhere in the castle trying to escape with Princess Buttercup, Inigo and Count Rugen continue their duel. Only one of them was going to leave alive. After taking short breaks against the wall due to Rugen's jabs, Inigo grows strength and begins to fight the six-fingered man with newfound power. The cast and characters of The Princess Bride do a phenomenal job of imposing humor in the darker parts of the movie, especially during Inigo's duel with Rugen. Without much stamina, Inigo charges Rugen and gives him matching injuries. Knowing their scuffle is winding down, Inigo tries to strike a deal.

The men are still taking jabs when Inigo says he'll stop if Rugen gives him his fortune. When Rugen answers, "Anything you want," Inigo sees his opportunity to strike and kill his opponent. Killing Rugen is Inigo's happy ending because he finally completes his life-long mission of eliminating the man who took his father from him. The deeper message of how important his father was to him is special. In between the sword fights and kidnapping is a man who is still grieving. The Princess Bride focuses on Buttercup's release, but the real triumph is Inigo killing Rugen after saying "prepare to die" six times.

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