Disney's version is based on the fairytale La Belle et la Bete, by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in 1740. The French author was inspired by the real-life story of Petrus Gonsalvus and his bride-to-be Catherine.

What's the real story behind Beauty and the Beast?

It tells a story about colonial subjugation, prejudice, and discrimination over physical differences. This is the story of Petrus Gonsalvus, of his family, as well as of those who, just like them, were turned into objects of wonder or entertainment by a discriminatory and exploitative ruling class.

Where was Beauty and the Beast based off of?

With names like Belle, Le Fou, Gaston and Lumière, it's no secret that the Beauty and the Beast takes place in France. If you look into it, it's not hard to see that the Eastern region of Alsace with its many small rural towns with timber houses has been a huge inspiration for Disney.

What myth is Beauty and the Beast based on?

The tale of Eros and Psyche, originally from Greek mythology, was written down by Apuleius in the 2nd Century AD. The most common fairy-tales you know – i.e. Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, etc. – are guilty of reproducing many elements from this ancient myth.

When was the original Beauty and the Beast written?

As Beauty and the Beast is a fairy tale, different versions of the story exist across different European countries and beyond. The first known written version of the story dates to a book published in France in 1740.

The Messed Up Origins of Beauty and the Beast | Disney Explained - Jon Solo

What is the moral lesson of the story Beauty and the Beast?

The moral of the story “Beauty and the Beast” is that we should value the character within, like kindness, over other superficial qualities, like appearance. When Beauty realises the inner beauty of the Beast, the Beast's outer appearance means nothing to her.

Is the rose in the original Beauty and the Beast story?

(A rose factors heavily in the original story tale as a symbol of Beauty's humility, but does not carry a foreboding curse.) An enchantress cursed the young Prince—movie fans speculate he was 10 or 11 at the time—and turned him into a beast for spurning her, based solely on her appearance.

What is the esoteric meaning of the beauty and the beast?

What “Beauty and the Beast” symbolizes – Love and Redemption. The hero of this story was originally born as a prince. But an evil witch cursed him into a beast. Only the love of a virgin could break the curse and return him back into his real self.

Is Beauty and the Beast a Grimm fairytale?

Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics episode "Beauty and the Beast (The Story of the Summer Garden and the Winter Garden)" (1988). The Beast is depicted with an ogre-like appearance. Britannica's Tales Around the World (1990–91), features three variations of the story.

What does the Beast symbolize in Beauty and the Beast?

Beauty's task is to relate to her instinctual self, represented by the beast. Each of us has an inner other, often imaged as opposite sex, who possesses qualities that seem utterly foreign yet compel attention and interaction.

Who wrote the original story of Beauty and the Beast?

The Original Story

Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, the little-known author of Beauty and the Beast, was a successful novelist and fairytale writer in mid eighteenth-century France. While her novels are rarely read today, her compelling fairytale has become universally recognized.

What is the Stockholm syndrome in Beauty and the Beast?

The original Beauty of Beauty and the Beast did suffer from Stockholm syndrome. She developed feelings for the Beast under duress, alone and unsupported, rather than through genuine connection. However, as the story has been altered for modern audiences, elements of Stockholm syndrome have all but vanished.

What is the darkest Grimm fairy tale?

The Robber Bridegroom is one of the Grimm Brothers' darkest tales. It is the tale of the daughter of a miller who is betrothed to a suitor by her father. She has a bad feeling about him and tries to avoid him. Even thinking about him makes her shudder.

What is the dark story of Cinderella?

Cinderella's mother dies and then her father marries her evil stepmother, adding her and Cinderella's evil stepsisters to the family. Lucky for Cinderella, her father doesn't die. Instead, he helps embarrass Cinderella along with her stepmother and stepsisters.

What is the dark version of The Little Mermaid?

In the original story, The Little Mermaid is motivated by a fear of death and desires a soul and an afterlife in addition to love. The original Little Mermaid story is much darker and violent than Disney's version, with the sea witch brutally cutting out the mermaid's tongue in exchange for legs.

What does the red rose symbolize in Beauty and the Beast?

In Beauty and the Beast, a single red rose under glass signifies the perseverance of true love across time. An enchanted rose suspended in a glass case acted as an hourglass to countdown the years that a spell cast upon the Beast could be broken.

What does the rose in the glass mean in Beauty and the Beast?

In the romantic film by Disney, the enchanted rose in glass is a symbol of the true love that blossoms between beautiful Belle and the 'beast' (once an uncaring prince who has been cursed due to his lack of compassion).

What did the rose in Beauty and the Beast mean?

Beauty and the Beast Rose Symbolism

To be able to admire someone for their character — their inner beauty. In the storyline, an enchantress disguised as an old beggar casts a handsome but arrogant prince a curse. She turned him into a beast and will stay that way till eternity.

What would happen if Belle touched the rose?

It is implied that if anyone except the enchantress touches the rose, it could be destroyed easily. Most likely, if its petals were plucked, the countdown would be accelerated. However, in a lot of Disney Princess merchandise, Belle is able to hold the rose.

Why did Belle ask for a rose?

In the Disney movie, the rose symbolizes how much time the Beast has left to break the spell. However, in the original tale, the rose is actually what gets Belle into trouble in the first place. In Villeneuve's story, Belle asks her merchant father to bring her back a rose from his business trip.

Who was Belle in Beauty and the Beast based on?

Refusing to watch Jean Cocteau's 1946 film adaptation of the fairy tale, Woolverton instead based Belle on actress Katharine Hepburn's portrayal of Jo March in the 1933 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's book Little Women.

Why did beauty fall in love with the Beast?

Indeed, he treats Belle like a queen, "It is I who should knee and take orders from you," said Beast when Belle kneeled in front of him to let her go for a while. In fact, his good heart is what makes Belle fall in love for him and breaks the spell which he has been the victim.

How does Beauty and the Beast end?

The Beast dies in Belle's arms before the last petal falls. Belle tearfully professes her love to the Beast, and the spell is undone, reviving the Beast and restoring his human form along with his servants and castle. The Prince and Belle host a ball for the kingdom, where they dance happily.

What is the climax of Beauty and the Beast?

Climax: Beast aggressively questions Belle and banishes her in a rage. Resolution: Belle flees from the castle in fear. Beast immediately regrets his actions and slumps over the enchanted rose, ashamed.

What is the oldest fairy tale ever?

The oldest fairy tale, however, might be The Smith and the Devil, which features a blacksmith who sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for magical powers. Researchers believe this ancient fairy tale could date back over 6,000 years to the Bronze Age!