Brothers Grimm

Brothers Grimm

Brothers Grimm version of “Briar Rose” and Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” are similar in many aspects, but definite opposites of each other. This is, however, not surprising and can be attributed to many reasons explored herein. The manner in which the newborn is cursed at the christening by the evil fairy differs in each story. The conduct of each prince throughout the tales is also noticeably different. Yet, the most notable dissimilarity in these stories is the relationship between the princess and her prince. Although the fairy tales appear to be alike, there are many points that make them unique.

Within the two stories, a fairy exists as the main antagonist and casts an evil spell on the princess, but this is the first and last similarity. In Brothers Grimm, only twelve fairies are invited due to the simple reason that there is only room for the King, the Queen, and twelve guests. The thirteenth fairy is more than upset with not being invited and sets out to exact revenge on the King and Queen by cursing their daughter. The curse consists of the princess pricking her finger on a spindle at the age of 15. After this incident, the thirteenth fairy does not appear again. Sleeping Beauty, however, is much more complicated.

In the Disney version, only four fairies exist, although, one fairy is portrayed as a witch that is cast in a black robe throughout the tale. In Sleeping Beauty, the party omitted from dinner is done for a more substantial reason than the lack of an open seat. The king and queen elect to have their ceremony without her because they believe that she is an evil person, which is proven true later in the story. Maleficent, as the witch is known, curses the princess but does not leave the story at that point like the thirteenth fairy in Briar Rose did. Maleficent persuades the princess to prick herself on a spinning wheel in order to complete her spell. By keeping Maleficent around for the entire story, it allows...

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