The stories of the Disney factory have accompanied the childhoods of entire generations. His stories, generally of heroes and villains, always seek to sow illusion, hope and values. But the original versions of children’s stories They seem to have little to do with this. In fact, many of the stories that accompanied our own childhoods, and even those of our parents and children, have a much cruder real version, which sometimes even becomes terrifying. It is just what happens in the case of the real Sleeping Beauty. And it is that this beautiful princess who is the victim of the enchantment of an evil witch, but who is rescued by her prince charming, has a very different real version. Today in Supercurioso we dare to tell you the true story of Sleeping Beauty. Can you come with us? Well, let’s get started!
What we all know, broadly speaking, about the story of Sleeping Beauty is that it is about a young princess, who at her birth received the curse of a witch and, when she turned fifteen, was left in a swoon, condemned to an eternal sleep. But her fairy godmothers eased her grief, decreeing that the kiss of Prince Charming, her true love, would bring her back to life. Well, the real Sleeping Beauty has little of a princess, and her situation, much less than romantic. Let’s see…
The true story of Sleeping Beauty
Few stories have such sweet and perfect strokes, scenes bordered with that happiness so suitable for any child’s mind and for lovers of those happy endings that the Disney factory and its movies always accustom us to.
However, you already know that in Supercurioso we like to examine with a magnifying glass and unravel the true and dark reality of these classic stories, only suitable for adults… To begin the story of the true story of Sleeping Beauty, it is necessary to let you know that it is very different from what we have in mind, what the film shows us.
The first version of this story dates back to the year 1636, with a legend called Sol, Luna y Talía. It was a story that was part of a collection called “Pentamerone.” Its author was an Italian gentleman, Giambattista Bassile.
In this real Sleeping Beauty narrative, the story is told, not of Aurora, but of Talia. There is still a curse, a spell that sages and astrologers warn the monarchs of the kingdom about: when the heiress is a teenager, she will prick herself with a poisonous splinter hidden in the linen. And what does the king do? Ban linen from entering the palace. As expected, it’s no use. The girl ends up pricking herself with the needle of a spinning wheel to spin linen.
The king, desolate, far from burying her, leaves her in her room covered by a velvet cloak. Afterwards, he leaves the palace. So far, as you can see, the true story of Sleeping Beauty is quite similar to the Disney tale. But now comes the big difference…
About 100 years pass and one day, a young nobleman appears in the vicinity accompanied by his falcon and his dogs. He is hunting, and he happens to come across that abandoned palace. Out of curiosity, he decides to go in, getting a pleasant surprise. There is a young girl who seems asleep. Seeing that she can’t wake up, the nobleman decides to take advantage and simply… outrages her. He rapes the young Talía.
The real Sleeping Beauty drama
You see, in the real Sleeping Beauty story, it’s not an idyllic romance that wakes her up. She rather she is the victim of a cruel rape. Nine months later two children are born: Sol and Luna. The young woman is still unconscious, so the babies are cared for by the fairies.
One day, while the child is looking for his mother’s breast to feed on, he casually reaches for her finger. She sucks it up and draws out the poison. The spell is broken. Here, as you can see, no kiss of love is needed.
Some time later the young nobleman returns to the palace. The reason? He feels like “visiting” his vanished princess one more time. His surprise is monumental, not only to see the young woman awake, but also because she is accompanied by two children. What happens then? Nothing special. Ella Talía Ella is happy about what happened and they spend a few weeks together. Then the nobleman leaves her to return to her family, because, of course, he already has his own wife.
The worst trouble in the true story of Sleeping Beauty comes when our nobleman’s wife discovers her husband’s “secret family.” Driven by rage, she orders Talía to be burned at the stake and the children -Sol and Luna- to be killed. and cooked so that her unfaithful husband eats them without knowing it.
But don’t worry… this story has a happy ending despite everything. At the time when the young girl is going to be burned at the stake, He decides to take off his clothes one by one and, suddenly, each of them emits a frightening sound when they come into contact with the fire. This sound captures the attention of the nobleman who, terrified, manages to stop said sacrifice.
And what about Sun and Moon? The cook refuses to comply with such sacrilege. What he served at the table, tricking his wife, was actually goat meat. A feat that the nobleman thanks by naming him royal treasurer. The story ends in a wedding and in a happy and united family originating from chance. Of course, in the end, the young man’s extramarital affair and his secret “outrage” have no punishment, but a strange reward.
The softened version of Perrault and the Grimm brothers
As you will realize, the story of the real Sleeping Beauty is not suitable for children. When Perrault wanted to introduce the story of Talía and her children in his works, he was aware that he had to make some small changes. The first thing he did was remove the violation. Something like that was obviously inconceivable.
The princess would be awakened by a kiss, the kiss of a kind, helpful and sweet prince whom she would marry immediately. In addition, they would have two daughters, who, along with herself, would be terribly hated by the prince’s mother – here the attempt to cook the couple’s children would be repeated once again.
The story was called, as you know, “The Sleeping Beauty of the Forest.” Later, our beloved Brothers Grimm brought us the syrupier version, the one we all know. That more aseptic interpretation that we can tell the little ones with complete peace of mind. Which version do you stay with? With the true story of Sleeping Beauty? Or with Disney?
Beyond the true story of Sleeping Beauty, you may be interested
If you are one of those who are fascinated by discovering the reality behind all the best-known fairy tales and stories, do not miss this selection that we have made for you.
And if you are a declared fan of the fantasies of children’s movies, do not miss this selection of the most charming disney quotes. We have a super curious next topic!