Rapunzel (book)
Rapunzel is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in Grimm's Fairy Tales (1812). The tale tells the story of a young woman with extraordinarily long hair who is imprisoned in a tower by a sorceress.
Origin and Publication:
Rapunzel's origins are traced back to earlier European folk tales. The Grimm Brothers' version is based on Friedrich Schulz's "Rapunzel" (1790), which in turn was likely inspired by earlier Italian tales, particularly Giambattista Basile's Petrosinella, featuring similar themes of a stolen child, a hidden garden, and the use of hair to ascend a tower. The Grimm Brothers included Rapunzel as tale number 12 in the first volume of Kinder- und Hausmärchen ("Children's and Household Tales"), published in 1812. Subsequent editions saw revisions and expansions of the story.
Plot Summary:
The story begins with a married couple who desperately desire a child. The wife notices rapunzel (a type of rampion lettuce) growing in the garden of an enchantress, Gothel. Consumed with longing, she sends her husband to steal some. He does so, but on the second attempt, Gothel catches him and demands their unborn child as payment.
When the baby is born, Gothel takes her and names her Rapunzel. Upon Rapunzel's twelfth birthday, Gothel locks her away in a tall tower in the woods, which has neither stairs nor a door. To visit Rapunzel, Gothel stands at the foot of the tower and calls out, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, that I may climb the golden stair." Rapunzel then lets down her long, golden hair, which Gothel uses to climb up.
One day, a prince riding through the forest hears Rapunzel singing from the tower. Intrigued, he returns and discovers how Gothel gains access. He then calls out the same words, and Rapunzel lets down her hair for him. The prince and Rapunzel fall in love, and he begins visiting her nightly. They plan her escape, with Rapunzel suggesting he bring her silk thread to weave a ladder.
However, Rapunzel inadvertently reveals the prince's visits to Gothel. In a fit of anger, Gothel cuts off Rapunzel's hair and banishes her to a desolate wasteland. When the prince arrives, Gothel lets down the severed hair to trick him. When he reaches the top, Gothel reveals what she has done. The prince, in despair, jumps from the tower and is blinded by thorns.
For years, the prince wanders blindly, eventually reaching the wasteland where Rapunzel lives with the twins she has borne. He hears her singing and recognizes her voice. They embrace, and her tears restore his sight. He takes her and their children back to his kingdom, where they live happily ever after.
Themes and Interpretations:
"Rapunzel" explores several key themes, including:
- Confinement and Freedom: The tower symbolizes Rapunzel's isolation and imprisonment, while her eventual escape represents her journey to freedom and self-discovery.
- Motherhood and Protection: Gothel's possessive and controlling "motherhood" is contrasted with the idea of true, loving family. The story explores anxieties surrounding motherhood and the loss of a child.
- Coming of Age: Rapunzel's journey can be seen as a metaphor for a young woman's transition into adulthood and her growing awareness of sexuality and independence.
- Love and Redemption: The prince's unwavering love for Rapunzel, and her ability to restore his sight with her tears, highlights the redemptive power of love.
Adaptations and Influence:
"Rapunzel" has been adapted countless times in various forms, including:
- Literature: Numerous retellings and reinterpretations of the tale exist, often with different perspectives and thematic focuses.
- Film and Television: The story has been adapted into animated films, live-action movies, and television series, most notably Disney's Tangled (2010).
- Theatre: Stage adaptations of "Rapunzel" are common, ranging from traditional fairy tale productions to more modern and experimental interpretations.
The story's enduring popularity reflects its universal themes and its ability to resonate with audiences of all ages.