What is A5?
A5 is a five-minute fun history lesson with host Micah on a fairy tale subject, usually preceding a fairy tale story with hosts Micah and Andrea.
Welcome to my deep dive into the fascinating history of one of the most beloved fairy tales, “Sleeping Beauty.” Today, I will discuss six versions of this story, each adding a new layer to the tale as it evolved over the centuries.
WARNING – some of these stories involve nonconsensual content and disturbing themes.
Our journey starts in the 1300s with an oral tale called “Troylus (TROY-luhs) and Zellandine (Zell-ah-deen).” In this early version, a deity curses Princess Zellandine, putting her into a deep sleep. Years later, a prince named Troylus finds her and, instead of waking her with a kiss, takes advantage of her while she sleeps. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child while still unconscious.
This oral tale was first published in 1528 in a French collection of fairy tales titled “Perceforest.” While it was not called “Sleeping Beauty,” it’s considered the earliest written version of the story.
Fast forward to 1636 in Italy, where we find Giambattista Basile’s (jahm-bah-TEES-tah bah-ZEE-lay) version titled “Sun, Moon, and Talia.”
In this story, the king learns from wise men that his daughter, Talia, will one day face grave peril from a splinter of flax. Despite his precautions, she pricks her finger on a splinter and falls asleep. A married king finds her and, similar to our earlier tale, he takes advantage of her while she’s sleeping.
After nine months, Talia gives birth to two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. Talia eventually wakes up when one of her newborn twins sucks the splinter from her finger. The story continues with the king’s jealous wife plotting to harm the children, but a kind cook saves them. The tale ends with the king marrying Talia and punishing his wife.
The ending of this story is morally problematic by modern standards. In an equal world, the king would have been held accountable for his actions toward both his wife and Talia.
By the late 1600s, Charles Perrault’s “Sleeping Beauty in the Wood” tells a gentler story in France.
In this version, the Princess has both parents. The king, queen, and the entire court fall asleep with her, only to awaken together. The prince does not assault her but instead kneels before her. She awakens, they talk, and they fall in love.
However, the story still has a dark side. This time, the prince’s mother is an ogress who seeks revenge on the Princess. But again, a cook saves the day.
Then, in Germany during the 1800s, the Brothers Grimm further sanitized this tale. They removed the disturbing themes, making the story more suitable for children. This version introduces the iconic kiss that awakens the Princess, symbolizing true love’s power.
Finally, in 1910, the English version by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, “The Sleeping Beauty,” most resembles the story we tell today. This version is the most romanticized, emphasizing love and respect. The prince kneels and kisses the Princess’s hand, not her lips, showing a newfound sensitivity and gentleness. With that, her enchantment ended; the Princess awoke and gazed at him with a tenderness that seemed far beyond what their first meeting would justify.
Throughout these versions, we see a clear evolution from a dark, adult tale filled with troubling content to a more child-friendly story emphasizing love and respect. Each iteration adds a new piece to the puzzle, creating a rich tapestry that tells the complete story of “Sleeping Beauty.”
There you have it, a journey through six centuries of “Sleeping Beauty,” a tale that has captivated audiences for generations.
What version of Sleeping Beauty did you grow up with? And how does learning about these earlier, darker origins change your perspective on this beloved tale? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Soon, I’ll be exploring the hidden histories behind another classic fairy tale. Subscribe to find out which one!