The Real Story Of Sleeping Beauty Grimm Brothers
When we think of Sleeping Beauty, we often think of the beloved Disney movie where a beautiful princess falls into a deep sleep and is awakened by true love's kiss. However, the original story of Sleeping Beauty is much darker than the animated film we know and love today. The Grimm Brothers, famous for their collection of fairy tales, published their version of Sleeping Beauty in 1812. This article will explore the real story of Sleeping Beauty as told by the Grimm Brothers.
The Original Story of Sleeping Beauty
In the original story of Sleeping Beauty, the king and queen are blessed with a daughter whom they name Talia. To celebrate her birth, they invite seven fairies to a party, but they forget to invite one fairy who is known for her evil ways. The six fairies who are invited bestow upon Talia blessings of beauty, wealth, and happiness. But when the uninvited fairy arrives, she curses Talia to die when she pricks her finger on a spindle.
The king, desperate to protect his daughter, orders that all spindles in the kingdom be destroyed. But years later, Talia stumbles upon an old woman spinning and is enticed to try it herself. She pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. The king, grief-stricken, places Talia in a castle and leaves her to sleep for 100 years.
After 100 years, a prince discovers the sleeping Talia and is overcome by her beauty. He kisses her, breaking the curse, and they live happily ever after.
The Dark Themes in Sleeping Beauty
As we can see from the original story of Sleeping Beauty, the Grimm Brothers' version is much darker than the Disney adaptation. The story involves death, curses, and a seemingly non-consensual kiss. The themes of sexual assault and consent are particularly prevalent in this story.
In the original tale, the prince does not ask for Talia's consent before kissing her. She is asleep and unable to give her consent, leading some to argue that the kiss is non-consensual and therefore a form of sexual assault. Additionally, the curse placed on Talia by the uninvited fairy is often interpreted as a metaphor for menstruation and the fear of female sexuality.
Conclusion
The real story of Sleeping Beauty as told by the Grimm Brothers is much darker and more complex than the Disney adaptation we are familiar with. It highlights themes of death, curses, and sexual assault that may be uncomfortable for some readers. However, it is important to remember that fairy tales were often used to teach valuable lessons and cautionary tales to children. The original Sleeping Beauty story may have been a warning against the dangers of sexuality and the importance of consent.