Colin Snow
The story of Sleeping Beauty is a well-known fairy tale about a princess who falls into a deep slumber and can only be awakened by a handsome prince. The original tale, however, is much darker and includes disturbing themes such as assault, cannibalism, and infidelity. In the original version, titled The Sun, Moon, and Talia, the princess Talia falls asleep after pricking her finger on a spindle, which causes a splinter of flax to get embedded under her nail. While she is asleep, a king finds her and impregnates her. Talia eventually wakes up when one of her twins sucks the flax out from under her nail. This version of the story has been adapted and retold numerous times, with some interpretations suggesting that it was not the prince or king who woke her up, but rather her children or the fairies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Princess | Talia/Rosamund/Briar-Rose |
| Cause of Sleep | A splinter of flax gets embedded under her nail |
| Arrival of the Prince | After 100 years |
| Action of the Prince | Kisses the Princess |
| Effect of the Prince's Action | The Princess awakens |
| Post-awakening | The Princess and the Prince get married and have two children |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the prince
In the original tale, the prince's kiss does not actually break the curse. Instead, he arrives just as the 100-year time period of the spell ends and kisses the princess as she is awakening. This variation is seen in Charles Perrault's "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood," where the prince does not kiss the princess at all but instead finds her already awake when he enters the castle.
In some versions, the prince faces obstacles to reach the sleeping princess, such as navigating through thorny walls or brambles surrounding the castle. This adds to the idea of the prince as a brave and determined figure who is willing to face challenges to rescue the princess.
The prince's role also extends beyond waking the princess. In some variations of the story, the prince marries the princess after she awakens. For example, in the Brothers Grimm version, the prince and Sleeping Beauty, named Rosamund, get married, and she bears him two children.
In other interpretations, the prince is not the saviour but rather a symbol of something within ourselves. This modern interpretation suggests that the prince represents the present moment, encouraging us to wake up and pay attention to our lives, rather than waiting for someone or something external to save us.
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The original story
In the original tale, Talia (or Briar Rose/Brier-Rose) is lulled to sleep by a splinter of flax that becomes embedded under her nail. After she falls asleep, her father, believing her to be dead, leaves her in a room in his castle and abandons the castle forever. One day, a king enters the castle and rapes the unconscious Talia. The king then leaves, and Talia gives birth to twins while still asleep. One of the twins sucks the splinter of flax out from under Talia's nail, and she wakes up. She discovers that she is a mother but has no idea what has happened to her. When the king returns and sees that Talia is awake, he falls in love with her, and she becomes his mistress. The king is already married, and his wife orders a cook to kill the twins and serve them to the king as a meal. The cook's wife and maid hide the twins and instead serve the king a meal of a hind prepared with Sauce Robert. The queen discovers this deception and prepares a tub of vipers and other noxious creatures in the courtyard. The king returns home and the queen's true nature is exposed, so she throws herself into the tub and is consumed by the creatures within it. The king, Talia, and the twins then live happily ever after.
It is worth noting that while the prince's kiss is often thought to be what breaks the spell in the Sleeping Beauty tale, this is not the case in the original story. The prince arrives just as the spell is wearing off and kisses Briar Rose, but it is the spell ending that wakes her, not the kiss.
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The role of the king
In the Brothers Grimm version of Sleeping Beauty, also known as Little Briar Rose, the king is not directly involved in the story of the sleeping princess. Instead, the focus is on the prince, who arrives to wake the princess with a kiss.
However, in other variations of the tale, the king plays a more prominent role. In the Disney film Sleeping Beauty, for example, we have King Stefan, the father of Princess Aurora, and his longtime friend and neighbouring king, King Hubert, the father of Prince Phillip. The two kings betroth their children to each other in the hopes that they will marry and unite their kingdoms. This arrangement, however, is complicated when Phillip falls in love with a peasant girl, creating tension between the two kings.
King Stefan is portrayed as a caring and kind ruler, protective of his daughter, but also prone to being stubborn and grumpy. He is not a powerful presence, either physically or as an authority figure, but rather an affable and timid father who reigns peacefully over his kingdom. In contrast, King Hubert is described as jolly, boisterous, and caring towards his son, Phillip. Despite their differences, the two kings share a close friendship.
In another variation of the tale, the king plays a more direct role in waking the sleeping princess. In this version, the princess, named Talia, is seated on a throne after falling under the sleeping spell. A king, while out walking, notices one of his falcons fly into Talia's house. Out of curiosity, he climbs into the house and discovers Talia alive but unconscious. He impregnates her, and she later awakens when one of their twins sucks the splinter of flax from her finger.
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The role of the twins
In the tale of Sleeping Beauty, the role of the twins is significant, albeit a variation in the story. In the version "Sun, Moon, and Talia" by Giambattista Basile, the sleeping beauty, Talia, falls into a slumber after pricking her finger on a piece of flax. She is discovered by a wandering king who takes her to his palace, and she becomes pregnant with twins while still unconscious. One of the twins sucks on Talia's finger, dislodging the flax, and she awakens.
In this version of the tale, the twins are instrumental in breaking the spell that had been cast upon their mother. It is only through their suckling that Talia is released from her enchanted sleep. This variation of the story highlights the power of familial love and the unexpected ways in which destiny can unfold.
The inclusion of the twins in Basile's narrative adds a layer of complexity to the traditional Sleeping Beauty tale. It introduces themes of motherhood, destiny, and the strength of family bonds. The twins' role in awakening their mother challenges the notion that only true love's kiss can break the spell, suggesting that the love between a mother and her children is equally, if not more, powerful.
Furthermore, the existence of the twins creates a sense of urgency and heightened stakes in the second part of the narrative, where the princess, now a mother, faces new challenges and dangers alongside her children. This continuation of the story explores the enduring love of a parent and the lengths to which one will go to protect their offspring, even in the face of adversity and potential harm.
The twins in the story of Sleeping Beauty serve as a testament to the enduring nature of family bonds and the ability of love to conquer even the darkest of curses. Their role in awakening their mother, Talia, and the subsequent reunion of their family underscores the underlying message of hope and redemption that resonates throughout the tale.
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The moral of the story
The tale also highlights the importance of awareness and paying attention to the present moment. Sleeping Beauty, or Talia in some versions, is initially lulled into a deep sleep due to her curiosity and lack of caution. However, upon waking, she is unaware of the events that transpired during her sleep and becomes a passive observer in her own story. This serves as a cautionary tale, encouraging readers to be mindful and proactive in their lives, rather than sleepwalking through their experiences.
Additionally, the story emphasizes the transformative power of love and connection. Despite the dark twists and turns, the tale ends with a sense of hope and happiness. Sleeping Beauty's awakening and subsequent discovery of her children represent the triumph of love and the strength it provides in overcoming adversity.
While the original tale may have perpetuated passive female stereotypes, modern interpretations often strive to empower female characters and challenge outdated gender norms. This evolution demonstrates a shift towards more progressive values, encouraging agency and resilience in the face of challenges.
Ultimately, the moral of Sleeping Beauty invites readers to embrace awareness, perseverance, and the transformative power of love. It reminds us to seize control of our lives, embrace the present moment, and write our own stories.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Brothers Grimm version, Sleeping Beauty wakes up when she is kissed by a prince. In other versions, she wakes up when one of her children sucks the flax out from under her nail, or from the sound of their crying.
In the original tale, Sleeping Beauty falls asleep after pricking her finger on a spindle, which causes a brain infection.
After she wakes up, Sleeping Beauty discovers that she is a mother and has no idea what has happened to her.
The original story is quite dark and includes assault, cannibalism, death, and infidelity.
The moral of the story is that you shouldn't wait for someone else to come and save you—you have the power to save yourself.
