Sleeping Beloved

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.

sleeping beloved

The Waiting Time

This is where the story gets a little strange.  The first half of Perrault’s version is our “standard” Sleeping Beauty tale…but this?  This seems more in line with Shrek than any “standard” fairy tale.  I mean, the prince is half ogre!  Unlike our loveable Shrek, however, ogres in the 17th century were children-eating creatures (although somehow our prince manages to escape those cravings…the text says nothing about him being an ogre or wanting to eat his own children.  He’s the quintessential “good guy”). 

Yes, our prince has much to worry about, and he is right to tarry in the claiming of his bride…

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sleeping beloved

The Nameless Beauty

Our next Sleeping Beloved shows up in France only 50 years after Basile’s story.  Although some scholars point to Basile’s “Sun, Moon, and Talia” as the inspiration (which is certainly possible),[1] it’s also possible that it came from a variant called “Sun, Pearl, and Anna,” which cleans up the story a great deal (i.e. the prince takes the spindle out of Anna’s hand, she awakes, then they have children who are almost killed by Anna’s mother-in-law, the evil queen).[2]  

Anyway, part of a compilation of eight short stories, The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood was written by Charles Perrault in 1697 for King Louis XIV’s niece.[3]  It is one of my favorite versions.  Hands down, I will read it to my children.  It has beautiful imagery (the good fairy has a chariot pulled by dragons!), and has all the delightful qualities of a “fairy tale”…

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sleeping beloved

Without Love there is Only Death

The end is as satisfying as one of our own fairy tales.  The “rebellious” queen and her minion are certainly living in a “scorched land.”  Talia – a “prisoner” of the queen and once “deserted” to her sleeping death – is now “provided” for and is given “prosperity.”

And all because our Sleeping Beloved heeded the call of love…

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sleeping beloved

The Unloved “Other” Woman

The queen is in a loveless marriage.  She is childless.  In the eyes of the world, her position is shaky and her worth is of little value.  

The queen is a Sleeping Beloved, too.  Her heart has been asleep for far longer than Talia ever was.  Her soul is in pain, her wounds are deep. 

And then, she sees these beautiful children – the other woman’s children.  The queen is faced with her “failure” and her emptiness…and something in her snaps…

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sleeping beloved

Changing Hearts

As I discussed last time, Talia speaks for the high-born women of the past.  Historically, a noblewoman’s worth was based on her ability to produce children, especially sons.  When a woman bore a healthy son, she secured her position and power.  (This is the world’s view, not God’s!)

It is no accident, then, that the king comes back to Talia and develops a “strong bond” after she has the children (named Sun and Moon).  Talia and the king are not in love, but the birth of their children gives them both what they desire: the king has a son, and Talia’s position is secure…

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sleeping beloved

Talia’s Tale

Another king has taken control of Talia’s territory (a residual memory of the shifting political situation in Naples from the 1400s-1500s[2]).  We could certainly discuss the survivor motif once more (see my previous posts here and here); but I don’t think that’s quite the lesson we’re meant to learn from our Talia.

Throughout much of history, high-born women were given in marriage to secure political alliances.  These women were marrying strangers, a frightening concept in any era.  They had no guarantee of respect from their future husbands, let alone love.  Now, people are people, and I’m sure love blossomed in some of these situations…but there was no guarantee of it…

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sleeping beloved

The Love of the Father

Father is probably the first attribute we learn to associate with God, as it’s an easy concept for children to understand.  Granted, even the best of fathers can’t give as much love as God; but it’s such a tender picture of His love for us.

Talia’s father adores her.  A man doesn’t call fortune-tellers to his daughters crib otherwise.  He longs to protect her and ensure her safety.  When he discovers the danger, he immediately takes action.  There isn’t even a question in his mind!  Of course he will ban flax from his home.  Of course he will protect his daughter…

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