From Snow White to Mowgli: Revealing the Dark Origins of 15 Disney’s Tales
Hold onto your Mickey ears—what you’re about to read may forever change the way you view the Happiest Place on Earth! Ever wondered why Disney stories always seem too good to be true? From ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to ‘Snow White,’ we’ve all been enamored by these cinematic wonders since childhood. But behind each dazzling fairy tale lies a labyrinth of darker, more complex narratives that never made it to the silver screen. Imagine ‘Sleeping Beauty’ not just awoken by a kiss but caught in a twisted web of deceit and treachery. Picture ‘Cinderella,’ not in a beautiful ballgown, but escaping a life filled with unimaginable horrors. As we venture down the rabbit hole of Disney’s concealed past, prepare to encounter the gruesome and unsettling origins that inspired these iconic films. It’s a spine-chilling ride through the shadowy corners of magic and imagination—where fairy tales are not all they seem.
The Lion Kings Hamlet’s Inspiration
The Lion King’s inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a fascinating blend of classic literature and family entertainment. In Disney’s version, Simba’s journey reflects Hamlet’s struggle but with a lighter tone. While Hamlet’s uncle’s betrayal leads to a series of tragic events ending in mass slaughter, The Lion King’s Scar is defeated, and peace is restored.
The complex themes of revenge and madness in Hamlet are simplified for children, and the dark tone is replaced with uplifting songs and colorful characters. The transformation from a tragic play to an animated film showcases the power of adaptation.
The Beast was Petrus Gonsalvus. He had a rare syndrome
“The Beauty and the Beast” is nothing but a love story about a kidnapped Belle and her falling in love with the Beast in the castle. That was true when Disney was involved. The plot is loosely inspired by a true story. Petrus Ginsalvus was the inspiration for the Beast in the movie.
He was born with Ambras syndrome, a rare condition, in the 1500s. It’s so rare that only 50 to 100 people will ever be affected. Petrus was one of the most extreme cases; his body was covered in thick, soft hair.
Petrus Gonsalvus was kidnapped as a child
Petrus’s life was a disaster. It is believed that he may have been kidnapped as a young child. According to records, Spain conquered the Canary Islands in the 15th century. Many natives were forced into slavery. Petrus was likely to have been shunned in the community for his condition.
This made him an easy target. Petrus was only 10 years old at the time that the Venetian ambassador in Spain gave him to Henri II, the newest king of France. Some say Petrus was a “wild man” because he never learned how to communicate or talk.
Henri II gave Petrus Gonsalvus a new life
Although he was shunned throughout his entire life, it appears that Petrus Gonsalvus could have turned his life around by moving in with Henri. He immediately saw his gift as a valuable commodity and experimented to find out what would happen. Henri quickly released Petrus from his cage and gave him the most beautiful clothes.
He taught him everything that noblemen learned in his time, including speech, reading, writing, and military training. Petrus was incredibly intelligent, and he learned three languages. Many wanted him to attend court for several major events. Some even thought his intelligence made King Henri look great.