Evie Summers
The story of Sleeping Beauty has been adapted countless times throughout history and retold by modern storytellers across various media. The setting of the story varies depending on the version. For example, the 1959 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Productions is set in an unspecified fantasy kingdom, while the San Francisco Ballet's production is set in Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Other versions of the tale, such as the medieval courtly romance Perceforest (c. 1337-1344), may have influenced the setting of the story as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting | Unspecified fantasy kingdom, possibly England or France |
| Time Period | 14th Century, 17th and 18th Centuries |
| Locations | Palace, forest, castle |
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What You'll Learn
The story's setting is an unspecified fantasy kingdom
The story of Sleeping Beauty is set in an unspecified fantasy kingdom. While the Disney Wiki puts the location in England, some believe that the architecture, clothing, symbols, and music suggest France. The story is also based on a Tchaikovsky ballet, Swan Lake, and the earliest tale of Sleeping Beauty is traced to Perceforest (c. 1337-1344).
The ballet adaptation by the San Francisco Ballet is set in Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Acts I and II showcase Byzantine manners and fashion, while Acts II and III take place a hundred years later, after Peter the Great's rule, showcasing the influence of European styles and cultures.
The story of Sleeping Beauty follows a princess who is cursed to die when she pricks her finger on a particular item, such as a spindle or a piece of flax. To protect their daughter, the king and queen rid the kingdom of these items, but the prophecy comes true anyway. The princess falls into a deep sleep and is placed in a hidden castle or palace, surrounded by a forest of trees, brambles, and thorns.
After a hundred years, a prince from another royal family discovers the hidden castle and awakens the princess with a kiss, breaking the spell. The entire kingdom then celebrates the wedding of the princess and the prince.
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Some say it's inspired by 14th-century England
The story of Sleeping Beauty has been adapted countless times throughout history and retold by modern storytellers across various media. The tale first appeared in the medieval courtly romance "Perceforest" (c. 1337–1344), which some believe is inspired by 14th-century England. In this early version, a princess named Zellandine falls in love with a man named Troylus. Her father sends him on various tasks to prove himself worthy of her, and while he is away, Zellandine falls into an enchanted sleep.
Troylus finds Zellandine sleeping naked in a fantastic bed. He leans in to kiss her, asking her permission first, but is reminded by Reason and Discretion that he should not breach a girl's privacy without her leave and that he should not touch her while she sleeps. Inflamed by Venus, Troylus does take Zellandine's "right to the name of maiden" while she sleeps. Startled by a sound she makes, Zellandine remains asleep, and Troylus quickly exchanges back the rings that they had traded long ago before being hurried away by the messenger.
Nine months later, the still-sleeping Zellandine gives birth to a baby boy, who, in search of his mother's breast, suckles her finger instead. When Zellandine finally awakens, she realizes from the ring Troylus left her that he is the father, and the two later marry. This early version of the Sleeping Beauty story is much darker than the modern version, though it does have a connection to the Round Table: Troylus and Zellandine are the ancestors of King Ban, the father of Sir Lancelot.
While some believe that the story of Sleeping Beauty is inspired by 14th-century England, it is important to note that the original tale does not specify a location. The Disney film adaptation, however, is believed to take place in medieval France, with references to the French language and Renaissance French fashion.
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Others suggest it's influenced by France
The origins of the Sleeping Beauty tale are a subject of debate, with some arguing it is rooted in France. This theory posits that the story, as we know it today, is a product of French culture and folklore, with potential influences from French history and mythology. One key piece of evidence for this theory is the presence of similar sleeping princess tales in French folklore, such as "La Belle au Bois Dormant," which shares many elements with the Sleeping Beauty story. This version, which translates to "The Beauty in the Sleeping Wood," features a sleeping princess, a fairy's curse, and a brave prince who awakens her. The story is deeply embedded in French cultural consciousness, with the earliest written version appearing in 1697 by writer Charles Perrault, who is known for adapting folk tales into literary works. His version, titled "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood," is considered a classic of French literature and has had a significant influence on subsequent retellings.
Perrault's tale includes distinctively French elements, such as the aristocratic setting, the emphasis on courtly manners, and the depiction of the fairy as a sophisticated, magical creature. The story's setting in a grand château, with its elaborate balls and elegant gardens, reflects the opulent lifestyle of the French nobility during the 17th century. This version also introduces the important element of spinning flax, which is featured in many French folk tales and fairy tales, further suggesting a French influence. The spinning wheel, or wheel of fortune, is a common motif in French folklore, often symbolizing destiny and the unpredictable nature of life.
Additionally, the name "Sleeping Beauty" itself may hold a clue to its French origins. In French, the tale is known as "La Belle au Bois Dormant," with "belle" translating not only as "beautiful" but also holding a connotation of "beloved." This double entendre suggests a play on words, indicating that the sleeping princess is not only physically beautiful but also beloved by those around her, a nuance that is perhaps lost in translations to other languages. Furthermore, the very act of sleeping and dreaming has a special significance in French culture, often associated with the romantic and the fantastical.
The influence of French art and literature cannot be overlooked when considering the potential French origins of Sleeping Beauty. The tale may have been inspired by the rich artistic heritage of France, with its long tradition of courtly love stories, romantic paintings, and elaborate ballets. The Sleeping Beauty tale has itself inspired numerous French artistic endeavors, including the famous ballet "Sleeping Beauty" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which premiered in Paris in 1890. The ballet's success further cemented the story's association with France and its cultural output.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Sleeping Beauty tale may have evolved over time, incorporating elements from various cultures and countries. While the story's initial roots may lie in France, it has since been adapted and retold by writers and filmmakers from around the world, ensuring that Sleeping Beauty remains a globally recognized and beloved fairy tale. These adaptations often reflect the cultural and social values of their respective times and places, making Sleeping Beauty a truly international story with a diverse range of influences.
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The ballet adaptation is set in Russia
The ballet adaptation of the timeless fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" is often set in Russia. The original tale, however, is believed to have originated in Italy.
The ballet "The Sleeping Beauty" premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1890, during the reign of Marius Petipa in Russian ballet. Petipa, a Frenchman, collaborated with Tchaikovsky to create the phenomenon of Russian classical ballet. This was their first joint work, with Tchaikovsky composing the music and Petipa choreographing the ballet.
The San Francisco Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty" is also set in Russia, specifically in the 17th and 18th centuries. The ballet begins at the Imperial court, where society is influenced by Byzantine manners and fashion. The second and third acts take place a hundred years later, after Peter the Great's rule, and showcase the influence of European styles and cultures.
The ballet follows the classic tale of "Sleeping Beauty," in which a princess named Aurora falls into a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a spindle. She is awakened by a prince's kiss after a hundred years, and they celebrate their wedding with the entire kingdom.
The Bolshoi Ballet has also performed "The Sleeping Beauty," with Yuri Grigorovich presenting a new version of his famous choreography. The ballet is a showcase of traditional Russian ballet art, combining strict classical elegance with modernist and 21st-century influences.
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The 1959 film was in production for almost a decade
The tale of Sleeping Beauty has been adapted countless times throughout history and retold by modern storytellers across various media. The 1959 film adaptation, produced by Walt Disney Productions, is based on Charles Perrault's 1697 fairy tale. The story follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to die after pricking her finger on a spindle on her 16th birthday.
The film began development in 1950, and preliminary artwork was submitted by Joe Grant. However, the project did not move forward initially. Disney registered the film as a planned production title in January 1950, after a preview audience responded positively to Cinderella. The Los Angeles Times officially confirmed the film's development in November 1950. Walt Disney wanted Sleeping Beauty to be the pinnacle of his studio's achievements in animation and was willing to dedicate all the required resources. He repeatedly told his staff during production that the film had to be different from his previous fairy-tale features, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Cinderella (1950).
By April 1951, the earliest known story outline was written, featuring the climactic wake-up kiss and the encounter between the prince and princess before she succumbs to the curse. The story artists expanded the fairies' roles, turning the good fairies into comical guardians of the princess and the evil fairy into a more powerful villain. In December 1952, Kay Nielsen created styling sketches for the film, suggesting an ethereal design with soft colours. However, the film's production designer, Ken Anderson, felt that Nielsen's pastel paintings would be challenging to translate into animation.
In July 1953, supervising director Wilfred Jackson began creating a pilot scene for the film, recording dialogue and assembling a story reel. However, Disney was dissatisfied with the original version, and extensive rewrites were required. In December 1953, Jackson suffered a heart attack and was replaced by Eric Larson. By July 1954, most of the studio personnel working on Sleeping Beauty were reassigned to develop Disney's theme park and television series projects.
The film's production spanned nearly a decade, with story work beginning in 1951 and animation production taking place from 1953 to 1958. The musical score was recorded from September 8 to November 25, 1958, and the film premiered in January 1959. With a production budget of $6 million, Sleeping Beauty was Disney's most expensive film at the time. The film's high production costs and underperformance at the box office led to massive layoffs in the animation department.
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Frequently asked questions
The story of Sleeping Beauty takes place in a fictional kingdom. The exact location of this kingdom is not specified, but some believe it to be in France or England.
The name of the princess in Sleeping Beauty varies depending on the version of the story. In the San Francisco Ballet production, she is called Aurora. In the version by Italian poet Giambattista Basile, she is called Talia, and in other versions, she is nameless.
In most versions of the story, the princess falls asleep after pricking her finger on a spindle or a piece of flax.
In most versions of the story, the princess is woken up by a prince's kiss.
In some versions of the story, the princess wakes up and marries the prince. In other versions, there is a second part to the narrative that details the couple's troubles after their union.
