Gina Johnson
In Disney's 1959 animated feature film Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday. Aurora is raised by three good fairies, who alter the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora will sleep until awakened by a kiss from her true love. The character Aurora is considered to be naive and carefree, a result of being sheltered for most of her life. The actress Elle Fanning, who played Aurora in the 2014 live-action reimagining Maleficent, was 16 years old at the time of its premiere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Princess | Aurora |
| Name of the Fairy | Maleficent |
| Age | 16 years old |
| Year of the movie release | 1959 |
| Name of the Prince | Phillip |
| Name of the Princess's Parents | King Stefan and Queen Leah |
| Name of the Three Good Fairies | Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Aurora was 16 years old
Princess Aurora, the titular protagonist of Disney's 1959 animated feature film, Sleeping Beauty, was 16 years old. She was the daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah. On the day of her christening, Aurora was cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday.
The three good fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who raised her, took extra precautions by raising the princess in a secluded cottage under the alias Briar Rose to protect her from Maleficent. They also altered the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora would fall into a deep sleep and could only be awakened by a kiss from her true love.
Years later, a 16-year-old Aurora meets a handsome man in the forest, unaware that he is Prince Phillip, to whom she had been betrothed since infancy. They fall in love and agree to meet again. Aurora's character is described as kind, elegant, shy, and sophisticated, with a romantic spirit. She is sheltered and naive, having been raised by the three fairies and protected from any potential harm.
Aurora's story is considered to be darker than the typical Disney princess tale, especially considering her young age of 16. In the live-action adaptation, Maleficent, Elle Fanning, who played Aurora, was also 16 years old, capturing the innocence of the character.
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The curse was altered from death to sleep
In the original version of the Sleeping Beauty tale, as penned by Charles Perrault and titled "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood," the curse cast upon the princess is indeed one of death rather than sleep. When the angry fairy pronounces her curse, she declares that the princess shall, in fact, die: "Yes, she shall die, and that on the day after her birth." However, the other fairies present intervene and alter the curse, softening it to a magical slumber instead: "It shall be a sleep of a hundred years' duration, to which I doom her, and all that surrounds her." This alteration provides a loophole, a way to circumvent the original curse of death and offer a glimmer of hope for a future reversal of the spell.
The change from death to sleep adds a layer of complexity and intrigue to the story. It introduces the possibility of a happy ending, as the princess and her kingdom are merely suspended in time, awaiting the kiss of a prince to awaken them. This alteration also heightens the sense of enchantment and fantasy, as the castle and its inhabitants become trapped in a magical stasis, untouched by the passage of time. The curse of sleep creates a mysterious and ethereal atmosphere, almost like a fairy-tale version of suspended animation, where life is paused but not entirely extinguished.
By changing the curse to a deep sleep, the fairies give the princess and the kingdom a chance for redemption and a future awakening. It is a magical reprieve, a delay in the finality of death, and introduces the idea of a magical solution to an otherwise tragic fate. This alteration also emphasizes the power of the fairies and their magic, showcasing their ability to manipulate and control even the harshest of fates. It is an act of mercy and a demonstration of their collective magical prowess.
Additionally, the alteration of the curse allows for the exploration of various themes and motifs. It introduces the idea of time passing differently for those under the spell, as a hundred years go by in an instant for the sleeping princess and her realm. This temporal distortion adds a surreal quality to the story and further emphasizes the magical nature of the curse. Moreover, the alteration of the curse to sleep invites interpretations and analyses that delve into the psychological and symbolic aspects of the tale. Sleep can represent a state of innocence, stagnation, or even transformation, offering a rich terrain for exploring the human condition through a fairy-tale lens.
The change from death to sleep also affects the tone and mood of the story. While the original curse of death sets a somber and grim tone, the altered curse introduces a sense of wonder and anticipation. The audience is invited to speculate about the future awakening and the potential for a fairy-tale ending. Will the princess wake up? What will the world be like after a hundred years? These questions create a sense of suspense and engagement, drawing the audience into the magical realm of the story.
Ultimately, the alteration of the curse from death to sleep is a pivotal moment in the Sleeping Beauty tale, offering a glimmer of hope, introducing magical possibilities, and setting the stage for a classic fairy-tale ending. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of this story, which has captivated audiences for centuries and continues to inspire new interpretations and adaptations.
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Maleficent raises Aurora
Princess Aurora, or Sleeping Beauty, is the deuteragonist of the 2014 live-action Disney film "Maleficent" and its 2019 sequel, "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil". She is the only daughter of the deceased King Stefan and Queen Leila and is cursed by Maleficent during her Christening as an infant. The curse dooms Aurora to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep on her sixteenth birthday, which can only be reversed by true love's first kiss.
To protect her from the curse, Aurora's parents entrust three fairies, or pixies, to raise her in hiding until her sixteenth birthday. However, Maleficent carefully watches over Aurora during her childhood years, and the two develop a close, mother-daughter-like relationship. Unaware of her royal lineage, Aurora believes herself to be a normal young woman, though she senses that a mysterious figure has been watching over her. As she grows up, she begins to think of Maleficent as her fairy godmother, complicating Maleficent's plan to betray her.
Aurora demonstrates bravery, empathy, kindness, and forgiveness. She is also curious, cheerful, selfless, and compassionate. She has all the qualities that will one day make her a great leader. Aurora is unaware that Maleficent, her guardian, is the same person who cursed her as an infant.
On her sixteenth birthday, Aurora pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into a deep sleep. Maleficent, having grown to love Aurora as her own daughter, gives her true love's kiss, breaking the curse. From that day on, Aurora becomes the Queen of the Moors and the Human Land, as Stefan has died. Maleficent now becomes her guardian.
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Aurora is betrothed to a stranger
Princess Aurora, the titular protagonist of Disney's 1959 animated feature film "Sleeping Beauty", was betrothed to a stranger, Prince Phillip, since infancy. On the day of her christening, the only daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah was cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to prick her finger and die before the sun set on her sixteenth birthday. However, one of the three good fairies, Merryweather, altered the curse so that instead of dying, Aurora would fall into a deep sleep and only be awakened by a kiss from her true love.
To protect Aurora from Maleficent, the three fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, who were also her "aunts", raised the princess in a secluded cottage under the alias Briar Rose. They also took her to live with fairies in the woods to prevent her from pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. As a result of being sheltered for most of her life, Aurora grew up to be a slightly naive and carefree young woman. She was loyal to her "aunts" and usually obeyed their rules, including the one about not talking to strangers.
When Aurora turned sixteen, she met a handsome man in the forest. Unaware that he was actually Prince Phillip, to whom she had been betrothed, the two fell in love and agreed to meet again. Aurora was naturally apprehensive when she first encountered the stranger, but she was drawn to him nonetheless. She compromised by arranging to meet him at her cottage, under the supervision of her "aunts".
The story of Sleeping Beauty has been retold and reinterpreted numerous times, including in the 2014 live-action film "Maleficent", which presents the tale from the villain's perspective. In this version, Maleficent's pity for Aurora overcomes her rage towards the princess's father, King Stefan, and she brings up Aurora covertly. When Aurora finally meets Maleficent, she is touched by the girl's affectionate nature, and the two form a bond.
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The role of protagonist is debated
The role of protagonist in Sleeping Beauty is debated. While Princess Aurora is the titular character and usually considered the film's main character, some commentators argue that the role of "protagonist" rightfully belongs to the three good fairies.
Leigh Butler of Tor.com, for instance, argues that the three fairies "make all the critical decisions in the film, the ones which drive the action", while Aurora acts as little more than a pawn. Butler further suggests that Aurora "never grows as a character during the course of the film; she has no agency at all, in fact. She doesn’t act; she is acted upon. So she is definitely not the hero of the story." K. M. Weiland of Helping Writers Become Authors agrees, writing, "Sleeping Beauty has no arc".
On the other hand, Aurora is a central character in the story and undergoes a significant change when she falls under Maleficent's curse. She is also a member of a trifecta known as the "Golden Era" of Disney heroines, alongside her two predecessors, Snow White and Cinderella. Animator Marc Davis, who was the supervising animator for Aurora, was responsible for animating the character's most important scenes. He also animated the film's antagonist, Maleficent.
Some commentators highlight Aurora's character traits and her impact on the story. Costa, for example, believes that Aurora is "innately romantic" and credits the fact that she was raised by three older women for making her "a little bit older, and yet, she ... had this young outreaching spirit." Aurora is also described as kind, elegant, shy, and sophisticated, as well as a hopeless romantic. She is loyal to her "aunts" (the three good fairies) and usually obeys their rules respectfully, although she may disagree with them.
In conclusion, while Aurora is the titular character of Sleeping Beauty and is typically regarded as the protagonist, some commentators argue that the three good fairies are the true protagonists due to their active role in driving the plot and Aurora's passive nature. However, others highlight Aurora's characterisation and the impact of her curse on the story, suggesting that she does undergo some form of character arc.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Aurora is 16 years old when she is cursed by Maleficent.
Princess Aurora is still 16 years old when she is kissed by Prince Phillip.
In the 2014 live-action adaptation, Maleficent, Aurora is still 16 years old. The actress who played her, Elle Fanning, was also 16.
