Who Wrote The Story Beauty And The Beast
The story of Beauty and the Beast is one of the most beloved tales in the world of literature. It has been adapted into various forms, ranging from movies to stage productions. But who wrote the original story of Beauty and the Beast? Many people believe that it was created by Walt Disney, but that is not entirely true. In this article, we will explore the origins of the Beauty and the Beast story and the authors who contributed to its creation.
The Origins of Beauty and the Beast
The story of Beauty and the Beast can be traced back to ancient times. There are several versions of the story from different cultures, including Greek, Roman, and Indian mythology. However, the most popular version of the story originated in France in the 18th century.
The French version of Beauty and the Beast is known as "La Belle et la Bête" and was written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. Her version was a lengthy novel that included many subplots and characters. It was later abridged and simplified by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756, making it more appropriate for children. This version became the most popular and well-known version of the story.
The Authors of Beauty and the Beast
Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve was the original author of Beauty and the Beast. She was a French novelist and wrote the story in 1740. Her version of the story was more complex and detailed than the later versions.
Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont was a French author who abridged and simplified Villeneuve's version of the story in 1756. Her version became the most popular and well-known version of the story. She made the story more appropriate for children and removed some of the subplots and characters that were in Villeneuve's version.
Other authors who contributed to the creation of the Beauty and the Beast story include Madame de Villeneuve, who wrote the original lengthy novel, and Andrew Lang, who included the story in his collection of fairy tales called "The Blue Fairy Book" in 1889.
Adaptations of Beauty and the Beast
The story of Beauty and the Beast has been adapted into various forms over the years. One of the most popular adaptations is the Disney animated movie "Beauty and the Beast," which was released in 1991. The movie was a commercial and critical success and won two Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.
Other adaptations of the story include stage productions, television shows, and movies. In 2017, a live-action adaptation of the Disney movie was released, which starred Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.
Conclusion
The story of Beauty and the Beast has been beloved by generations of readers and viewers. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times, but the most popular version of the story was created by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and later abridged and simplified by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. The story has been adapted into various forms over the years, including the popular Disney animated movie and a live-action movie released in 2017. The enduring popularity of the story is a testament to its timeless themes of love, acceptance, and inner beauty.