Did you know the origins of sleeping beauty? It's had many versions over the years, the best known of which is, of course, the Disney movie. However the first. Published record of this story dates back to 1634 by a man called Giabatta Basile. It was a story about a girl called Talia who falls into a coma when pricked by a thorn and fell into a coma. Se was then raped by a. King who happened to be passing by and came upon this beautiful young unconscious woman.
The next version, published 60 years later was written by Charles Perrault, a French man who told stories to the children of royalty and nobility. He modified the story so that the king in the story was not shown in such a negative light and sugar coated it by adding frivolities of fairies and magic. This is usually used as the base inspiration for the future versions of the story. Recently, the story has been given a lot of attention, through movies such as 'la belle endormie' and 'sleeping beauty' in 2011, as well as many plays, ballets and performances about the same.
Personally I was both intrigued and enraged at the original version, and even Perrault's version to some extent as all I see is the complete lack of any sort of control this girl had over her own life. And the audacity of the king and his behaviour, it's a bit sickening. Later in the story when we are introduced to the vengeful queen, I finally find a relatable character, who I agree may have over reacted to the situation, but was the only one who's intentions made sense. I was then enraged that a mere cook would think to defy and fool her even though what she asked of him was terrible. Did women really have it that bad that a servant would dare dupe a queen who outranked him in every way, but would not have dared to do so to a king?
Anyway, I decided the real story needs to be told and shared, but it is fairly cumbersome to find, I'll admit. So I wrote a basic simplified version for anyone who would like to read it.:
The next version, published 60 years later was written by Charles Perrault, a French man who told stories to the children of royalty and nobility. He modified the story so that the king in the story was not shown in such a negative light and sugar coated it by adding frivolities of fairies and magic. This is usually used as the base inspiration for the future versions of the story. Recently, the story has been given a lot of attention, through movies such as 'la belle endormie' and 'sleeping beauty' in 2011, as well as many plays, ballets and performances about the same.
Personally I was both intrigued and enraged at the original version, and even Perrault's version to some extent as all I see is the complete lack of any sort of control this girl had over her own life. And the audacity of the king and his behaviour, it's a bit sickening. Later in the story when we are introduced to the vengeful queen, I finally find a relatable character, who I agree may have over reacted to the situation, but was the only one who's intentions made sense. I was then enraged that a mere cook would think to defy and fool her even though what she asked of him was terrible. Did women really have it that bad that a servant would dare dupe a queen who outranked him in every way, but would not have dared to do so to a king?
Anyway, I decided the real story needs to be told and shared, but it is fairly cumbersome to find, I'll admit. So I wrote a basic simplified version for anyone who would like to read it.:
once upon a time, many moons ago,
A great King loved his daughter so!
At age 16,
Through spindle prick and cursed spell,
Into an enchanted sleep she fell.
Her 'loving' father laid her on a rock somewhere,
and returned to his castle with no further care.
A knoble King, who came across the beauty in her sleep
Tried to help her,
and when she did not wake,
and when she did not wake,
help himself to her, like a creep.
When he was done, the king continued on into the wild,
Leaving poor sleeping beauty with child
Not one, but two children were born soon,
A son named "Sun" and a daughter called "Moon"
And when Sun mistook her finger for her breast,
He sucked out the spindle and beauty awoke from her rest.
The King came back for seconds, only to find an heir.
For some reason Beauty forgave him, and they had an affair.
But the king faced internal strife,
for he already had a wife
Despite this he had beauty satisfy his needs
And soon the Queen caught on to his dirty deeds
The Queen, not one to tolerate a sinner,
Ordered Sun and Moon to be cooked for dinner.
After the King cleared his plate,
The Queen informed him of whom he ate.
Revolted at his punishment for being a liar,
The king threw the queen into the fire.
His Disgust was short lived as the royal cook arrived,
Confessing he fooled the queen, and the twins had survived.
And the only logical conclusion following this disaster,
Was for the king to marry beauty and live happily(?) ever after.
heres the link to the original story of sleeping beauty:
--
Vanya Vaishnavi Singh
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