The Beast's Name In Beauty And The Beast
If you're a fan of Disney's classic animated movie "Beauty and the Beast," then you know the story of how the beautiful and kind-hearted Belle fell in love with the monstrous Beast. But have you ever wondered what the Beast's name actually is? In this article, we'll explore the different names that have been used for the Beast in various adaptations of the story.
The Original Story: No Name Given
The original story of "Beauty and the Beast" was written by French author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740. In this version of the story, the Beast is never given a name. He is simply referred to as "the Beast" throughout the tale.
It's worth noting that in the original story, the Beast is described as having the head of a lion, the horns of a deer, the eyes of a hare, the ears of a wild boar, the teeth of a wolf, the body of a bear, the tail of a serpent, and the feet of an eagle. This is quite different from the more humanoid appearance of the Beast in the Disney movie.
The Disney Movie: Prince Adam
In the 1991 Disney animated movie "Beauty and the Beast," the Beast is given a name: Prince Adam. This name is never mentioned in the original fairy tale, but was created specifically for the movie.
In the movie, Prince Adam is cursed by an enchantress and transformed into a Beast as punishment for his selfishness and cruelty. The curse can only be broken if he learns to love and be loved in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.
Although the name Prince Adam is not used in any of the other adaptations of "Beauty and the Beast," it has become the most well-known name for the Beast thanks to the popularity of the Disney movie.
The Broadway Musical: The Beast
The Broadway musical adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" premiered in 1994, just three years after the release of the Disney movie. In the musical, the Beast is simply referred to as "the Beast." No name is ever given for him.
However, the musical does expand on the character of the Beast and gives him several solo songs that explore his emotions and motivations. This makes him a more complex and sympathetic character than he is in the original fairy tale or the Disney movie.
The TV Series: Vincent
In 1987, a TV series based on "Beauty and the Beast" premiered on CBS. In this version of the story, the Beast is given the name Vincent.
Unlike the Disney movie, which portrays the Beast as a prince who is transformed into a monster, the TV series presents Vincent as a separate species from humans. He is born with his beastly appearance and raised in secret by a community of similarly-disfigured people who live in the tunnels beneath New York City.
In this version of the story, Vincent is a romantic hero who protects and rescues the show's female lead, Catherine Chandler. He is also a skilled fighter and has enhanced senses and strength due to his beastly nature.
The 2017 Live-Action Movie: No Name Given
The most recent adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" was the 2017 live-action movie, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. In this version of the story, the Beast is never given a name.
Like the Disney animated movie, the live-action version presents the Beast as a prince who is cursed by an enchantress and transformed into a monster. However, the live-action version also gives the Beast a tragic backstory that involves his father's cruelty and his mother's death.
The Verdict: Prince Adam or The Beast?
So, what is the Beast's name in "Beauty and the Beast?" The answer is that it depends on which version of the story you're talking about.
If you're talking about the Disney animated movie, then the Beast's name is Prince Adam. If you're watching the Broadway musical, he's simply referred to as The Beast. In the TV series, his name is Vincent. And in the original fairy tale and the 2017 live-action movie, he's never given a name.
Ultimately, the Beast's name isn't the most important thing about the story of "Beauty and the Beast." What's more important is the message of the story: that true beauty comes from within, and that love can transform even the most monstrous of creatures.