Everyone knows the story of the Sleeping Beauty. The thread of this tale has been woven through time, and each Beloved has her own trials and griefs. Yet each chooses to be a survivor despite the evil done to her. God’s heart for this story is to show us that no matter what may come, love can awaken our wounded hearts…and it is worth it.
I’m not sure if Disney intended to make Aurora a second Zellandine. I like to think he did. He was a master storyteller, after all; and the fact that he sets the tale in the 14th century – the century in which Perceforest was written – hints that he was at least referring to Zellandine.
Six hundred years separate Zellandine and Aurora, and yet they are incredibly similar…
We are finally within the last hundred years! The Walt Disney 1959 animated version of Sleeping Beauty is a timeless classic, giving a fresh voice to the Sleeping Beloved characters. Disney masterfully crafted the fairy tale into something unique; and yet, the story remained true to its nature…
Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty ballet debuted in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1890. The storyline follows the Brothers’ Grimm version of the tale (although Tchaikovsky gives a nod to Perrault by including characters from Perrault’s other stories). There are only two “significant” contributions the ballet adds to the Sleeping Beloved saga: the music and the name of the heroine, both of which are used in Disney’s 1959 animated feature.
By and large, the ballet is not considered a “major” rendition. It is, however, of major importance to me…
Before the hedge, our Sleeping Beloved is simply called “the Princess.” She has no name – no separate identity. She has a mask of deeds to hide her heart behind, and takes drastic actions in trying to awaken her sleeping heart.
But then a briar hedge begins to grow. It protects “the Princess” from harm – in this case, from men who would come upon her in her sleeping state (like in the first two versions). She is given a new name based on that which protects her: Briar Rose…
In each version of our story, we’ve seen how the identity of the Sleeping Beloved has been destroyed or challenged – it’s why she needs to be awakened by love in the first place; however, I haven’t made a practice of pointing it out. There was just too much going on in those stories to focus on the undercurrent theme of identity.
With the Grimms’ version, the theme takes center stage. I talked in my last post about how our Princess wears a beautiful, perfect mask – a mask made of deeds to earn love. She is able to live behind her mask for a while…but then, something snaps…
And so, our Sleeping Beloved travels back to her native Germanic roots (a connection Wilhelm Grimm made as well). However, she has changed drastically since her ancestress Brunhilde was placed in a deep sleep for disobeying an order from the All-Father. This “new” Sleeping Beauty is…well, perfect.
Maybe it’s because I grew up in the post-feminist world, or perhaps it’s because I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Either way, I’m cynical. Well good for her. She’s the good girl. Everyone loves her. She’s beautiful and modest; kind and clever. I bet she wakes up with perfect hair, too…
In previous versions, our Sleeping Beloved was held three consistent identities: princess, wife, and mother. Despite the magical forces, Sleeping Beauty always emerges as a “typical” woman (that is, wife and mother). She embodies the transition between girlhood and adulthood, helping women through her example. The lesson she teaches is that awakening one’s heart to love is always, always worth it.
Beginning in 1812, however, Sleeping Beauty’s story is cut short. Rather than the central crisis coming after her awakening, her chief trial is her slumbering state…
So ends the “original” tale of Sleeping Beauty: the enemy is vanquished and all are allowed to live in peace and contentment.
I love how in both the Sleeping Beauty story and Revelation, the victory comes suddenly, almost unexpectedly, and in the nick of time. The fear of the young queen and her children is palpable – “minions” are about to throw them into a vat of vile creatures. The “beloved city” is under siege from the forces of darkness. There is no escaping their fate…
The triumphal entry has occurred…and so Sleeping Beauty lives happily ever after, right? Nope. There’s still the ogress mother-in-law to deal with. There’s still one more enemy left to fight.
This portion of Perrault’s tale mirrors Talia’s story…
I love the image of our Sleeping Beauty claiming her rightful place beside her bridegroom. I imagine her entering with joyful tears in her eyes. After all this time, she is finally going to be united with her true love. This, this is what she has been waiting for…and I can’t help but think that it is so much sweeter because of the wait.
As I say that, I’m acutely aware of how painful the waiting can be. For while we wait, we must grapple with the possibility that what we hope for may not come true…