The sleeping beauty in the wood

Woodcut image of Sleeping beautyThe embodiment of masculinity and the ideal feminine role is depicted in the tale of Sleeping beauty in the wood, a tale that was, as previously mentioned, even utilised by the governess Elizabeth Appleton to instruct her pupils.

The story begins with the christening of the princess, where seven young fairies provide her with a gift. These gifts all speak of beauty, grace, and wisdom. The characteristics bestowed upon the princess emphasise that appearance indicated a woman’s worth and was celebrated as ideal.

This is further reiterated by the villainization of elderly women, which was a common theme in 18th century literature and can be seen through the depiction of the elder fairy. The elder fairy is portrayed as an ‘old splentic and malicious fairy’ who seeks revenge for being left out of the celebrations and ultimately curses the princess to die. It can be interpreted that the curse cast is a reflection of the fairy’s frustration towards youthful beauty. Her portrayal is also indicative of the social stigma placed on older unmarried women, who were deemed undesirable and, as Kitteridge argues, at the centre of ‘ridicule and disgust’ because of their infertility. The lack of invitation from the princess’s parents demonstrates how unmarried and childless women were subjected to a lower status.  

The embodiment of the ideal feminine role is depicted through the character of Sleeping Beauty. Throughout, Sleeping Beauty is depicted as the epitome of passivity, as she lies asleep for most of the tale, a symbol of the importance of hymen preservation. It is only when the prince arrives, clothed in chivalry and gallantry, that Sleeping Beauty woken with a kiss. This depiction reinforces the idea that women were supposed to be reliant on a man to come to their rescue and must be a personification of the ‘damsel in distress.’ Upon the prince’s examination of the sleeping princess, he describes her as having a ‘divine beauty.’ The prince’s inspection of the sleeping princess further emphasises her submissive nature, as he places her physical appearance above all else. As she awakes, she gazes at the prince ‘with eyes more tender’, significantly adhering to her role as a passive recipient of male attention and affection.

The tale continues with the introduction to the prince’s mother, a known ogress who embodies sexual transgression. Despite her ‘lovely appearance’ her jealousy of the princess could not contain her ‘ogerish inclinations’ and so she conspires with the palace chef to have the princess and her children killed and then cooked for the Queen. Towards the end of the tale, the chef spares the princess after seeing how beautiful she is, whilst the Queen ends up being ‘devoured by ugly creatures’ (snakes, toads and vipers), all creatures that hold devilish connotations.

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