Original Story of Sleeping Beauty

Information Resources February 27, 2025

Fairy tales have long been a reflection of the cultures that pass them down, constantly evolving with each retelling. Stories that were once filled with dark themes and cautionary lessons have been softened over time, reshaped into the enchanting tales we know today. One such story is Sleeping Beauty, a classic that has been immortalized through books, ballets, and, most famously, Disney’s 1959 animated film.

For many, Sleeping Beauty is the story of Princess Aurora, a young woman cursed by an evil fairy and saved by true love’s kiss. However, the origins of this tale are far from the romanticized version we see today. The original story, which dates back centuries, was not always about love, nor was it as innocent as a sleeping princess waiting to be rescued. Instead, early versions of the tale, such as Giambattista Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia and Charles Perrault’s The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, were filled with themes of fate, violence, and even betrayal.

As the story traveled through time, from the Renaissance period to the Brothers Grimm and beyond, it transformed to fit the moral and cultural standards of each era. What began as a dark and unsettling narrative gradually became a story of magic, romance, and happily-ever-afters. But what was the original Sleeping Beauty really like? To understand its true origins, we must journey back to a time when fairy tales were not meant to simply entertain, but to warn, teach, and, sometimes, frighten those who listened.

The Earliest Versions of Sleeping Beauty

Before Sleeping Beauty became the beloved fairy tale we know today, its roots could be traced back to much older folklore and legends. One of the earliest known influences is Perceforest, a 14th-century French romance that contains elements of the sleeping maiden trope. In this story, a princess named Zellandine falls into an enchanted sleep due to a curse, and a prince, believing she is merely unconscious, unknowingly fathers a child with her. When the baby is born, it suckles her finger, removing the enchanted splinter that kept her asleep and ultimately waking her.

Though shocking by modern standards, tales like Perceforest reflected medieval storytelling, where magic, fate, and sometimes unsettling events played significant roles in shaping narratives. This version laid the foundation for later retellings, which would further develop the idea of a sleeping princess cursed by fate.

However, the most well-documented and influential early version comes from Giambattista Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia, written in 1634. This tale introduced many of the key elements that would later become hallmarks of the Sleeping Beauty legend, an enchanted sleep, a prophecy, and a royal birth. Yet, unlike the romanticized versions of later centuries, Basile’s tale was far more unsettling.

Giambattista Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia (1634)

The earliest written version of Sleeping Beauty that closely resembles the modern tale can be found in Giambattista Basile’s Pentamerone, a collection of fairy tales published in 1634. In his story, Sun, Moon, and Talia, the sleeping princess is not named Aurora, but Talia. However, the tale is far darker than the Disney version many are familiar with today.

The story begins with astrologers predicting that young Talia would be endangered by a flax splinter. Her father, a wealthy nobleman, orders all flax and spindles to be removed from his home, but fate cannot be avoided. One day, Talia pricks her finger on a piece of flax, and she falls into a deep, death-like sleep. Her father, believing she is dead, places her in a luxurious palace and abandons her there.

Years later, a king (not a prince) discovers the seemingly lifeless but beautiful maiden. Instead of waking her with a kiss, as later versions would suggest, he assaults her while she sleeps and then leaves. Talia remains unaware of what has happened and continues her enchanted slumber. Months later, she gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl named Sun and Moon. It is only when one of the babies suckles on her finger and removes the splinter of flax that Talia awakens.

However, the story does not end there. The king, despite being already married, returns to find Talia awake with his children. His jealous queen soon learns of the affair and orders the babies to be cooked and served to the king. Fortunately, the royal cook hides the children, and instead of eating them, the king discovers the plot and punishes his wife. In the end, he declares his love for Talia and marries her.

This original version is disturbingly different from the romanticized tale we know today. Instead of a love story about destiny and magic, Basile’s version is a dark fable about fate, violation, and survival. However, despite its unsettling themes, Sun, Moon, and Talia became the foundation for later adaptations that gradually softened the story into something more palatable.

Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty in the Wood (1697)

As fairy tales were passed down through generations, their darker elements were often softened or reinterpreted to align with evolving moral and cultural values. Charles Perrault, a French writer in the late 17th century, played a crucial role in refining Sleeping Beauty into a more recognizable form. His version, La Belle au bois dormant (The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood), was published in 1697 as part of his collection Histoires ou contes du temps passé, which also included classics like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.

Key Differences from Basile’s Version

1. The Curse and the Sleep

Unlike Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia, where the sleep was caused by fate, Perrault’s version introduced the fairy’s curse, a crucial element that has persisted in later adaptations. At the baby princess’s christening, seven good fairies bestow blessings, but an eighth, vengeful fairy, who was overlooked, curses the child. She proclaims that the princess will prick her finger on a spindle and die. Fortunately, a kind fairy softens the curse, altering it so that she will not die but rather sleep for 100 years until awakened by a prince.

2. The Castle’s Enchanted Slumber

To protect the princess, the king bans all spinning wheels, but destiny prevails. At the age of 15 or 16, the princess discovers an old woman spinning, pricks her finger, and falls into a deep sleep. Instead of being abandoned like Talia in Basile’s version, Perrault’s tale sees the entire castle enchanted, with everyone, including servants and even animals, falling asleep alongside the princess.

3. The Prince’s Arrival and Awakening

A hundred years later, a young prince hears of the sleeping princess and ventures into the castle. Unlike in Basile’s version, there is no violation or unintended pregnancy; instead, the prince finds her, and his arrival breaks the spell. She awakens, and the two instantly fall in love.

4. The Ogress Queen and the Darker Second Half

While the first half of Perrault’s tale feels much closer to modern versions, the second half takes a darker turn. The prince marries the princess in secret, fearing his ogress mother’s disapproval. When he eventually becomes king, he brings his wife and their children, Morning and Day, to his palace. However, the ogress queen attempts to eat them, ordering a cook to serve them as a meal. The cook tricks her by serving animal meat instead. When the queen discovers the deception, she tries to throw Sleeping Beauty and her children into a vat of snakes, but she is stopped and meets her own demise instead.

Perrault’s Influence on Later Versions

Perrault’s tale softened the brutal themes of Basile’s version while still retaining elements of darkness, especially in the second half. This version laid the groundwork for later adaptations, including the Brothers Grimm’s retelling and eventually Disney’s 1959 animated film, which further romanticized the tale by removing the ogress storyline altogether.

The Brothers Grimm’s Briar Rose (1812)

By the early 19th century, fairy tales were becoming more structured as moral stories, particularly under the influence of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, commonly known as the Brothers Grimm. Their version of Sleeping Beauty, titled Dornröschen (Briar Rose), was published in 1812 as part of their famous collection Children’s and Household Tales. Though based largely on Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, the Grimms’ version removed many of the darker elements and transformed the tale into a more family-friendly, cautionary story that emphasized destiny and virtue.

Key Differences from Perrault’s Version

1. The Curse and the Hundred-Year Sleep

Similar to Perrault’s tale, Briar Rose begins with a royal couple wishing for a child. When their daughter is born, wise women (or fairies) bestow gifts upon her. However, an uninvited thirteenth fairy, angered at being overlooked, places a curse upon the child: at the age of 15, she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. A good fairy intervenes, softening the curse so that she will not die but instead fall into a deep sleep for 100 years.

2. The Spindle Incident and the Castle’s Slumber

As prophesied, when Briar Rose turns 15, she stumbles upon an old woman spinning in a hidden tower. Curious, she tries spinning and pricks her finger, instantly falling into an enchanted sleep. Unlike Perrault’s version, where only the princess falls asleep initially, the Grimms’ tale explicitly describes the entire castle, including the king, queen, and all inhabitants, falling into a slumber, with vines and thorny briars growing around the castle to shield it from outsiders.

3. The Prince’s Arrival and the Awakening

Many princes attempt to enter the castle but are entangled and killed by the thorns. However, after exactly 100 years, a destined prince arrives. Unlike Perrault’s version, no one tells him of the sleeping princess, rather, the curse naturally lifts as he enters the castle. The briars magically turn into roses, allowing him safe passage. He finds Briar Rose and kisses her, which immediately wakes her up, along with the entire castle.

4. A Happy Ending Without the Ogress Queen

Unlike Perrault’s story, which contained a dark second half involving the prince’s ogress mother attempting to eat his wife and children, the Grimms ended their version with the wedding of Briar Rose and the prince. There were no evil stepmothers, no cannibalism, and no additional threats, making this version the most romantic and family-friendly adaptation so far.

The Brothers Grimm’s Influence on Later Adaptations

The Grimms’ version of Sleeping Beauty—with its enchanted sleep, thorn-covered castle, and the prince’s kiss—became the foundation for modern retellings, including the famous Disney adaptation in 1959. While it retained some of the darker elements of earlier versions, such as the curse and the deadly thorns, it removed violence, betrayal, and complex adult themes, making it a more traditional fairy tale about love, fate, and destiny.

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959): A Fairytale Transformation

By the mid-20th century, fairy tales had evolved from moralistic cautionary tales into family-friendly, romanticized stories, thanks in large part to Walt Disney’s animated films. Disney’s 1959 adaptation of Sleeping Beauty remains one of the most iconic versions of the story, shaping how modern audiences perceive the tale. However, while it draws inspiration from Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty in the Wood and the Brothers Grimm’s Briar Rose, the film makes several significant changes to create a lighter, more enchanting narrative.

Key Differences from Older Versions

1. A New Name: Princess Aurora and Briar Rose

Disney combined elements from different versions, naming the princess Aurora (as in Perrault’s story) but also giving her the alias Briar Rose (from the Grimms’ tale) when she is raised in secret by the three good fairies.

2. The Curse and Maleficent’s Role

In older versions, the evil fairy was often a forgotten guest at the christening. Disney, however, transformed her into Maleficent, a fully developed and powerful antagonist who curses the princess out of pure malice. She is no longer just a slighted fairy but a vengeful sorceress, making her one of the most iconic Disney villains.

3. The Good Fairies Take an Active Role

Instead of simply softening the curse, as in Perrault’s version, Disney’s three good fairies—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather—become major characters. They hide Aurora in the forest, disguise themselves as peasants, and even actively assist Prince Phillip in his battle against Maleficent.

4. A More Heroic Prince and the Battle Against Maleficent

In earlier versions, the prince passively arrives at the castle once the curse has naturally ended. However, Disney’s Prince Phillip is a true hero. After falling in love with Aurora in the forest (before realizing she’s a princess), he is later captured by Maleficent and must escape. The climax features an epic battle, where Maleficent transforms into a fearsome dragon, and Prince Phillip, armed with the “Sword of Truth,” slays her before reaching Aurora.

5. The True Love’s Kiss and Happily Ever After

The awakening kiss remains a key element, but in Disney’s version, it is explicitly a true love’s kiss, reinforcing the theme of destined love. Aurora wakes up, recognizes Prince Phillip, and the film ends with their romantic dance in the clouds, emphasizing a happy-ever-after ending free from additional threats.

How Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Shaped Modern Culture

Disney’s adaptation completely redefined Sleeping Beauty as a romantic fantasy, stripping away the darker elements of previous versions. It also popularized Maleficent as a major villain, leading to spin-offs like the live-action Maleficent (2014), which reimagined the story from the villain’s perspective.

With Disney’s influence, Sleeping Beauty became less about fate and survival and more about love, magic, and heroism, a shift that turned it into a beloved children’s classic.

Modern Retellings and Reinterpretations

As fairy tales continue to evolve, Sleeping Beauty has been reimagined in numerous ways across literature, film, and television. While the Disney version remains the most widely recognized, modern adaptations often revisit the darker origins of the story or offer fresh perspectives, sometimes even subverting the traditional narrative.

1. Maleficent (2014) – A Villain’s Perspective

One of the most famous reinterpretations of Sleeping Beauty is Disney’s live-action film Maleficent (2014), starring Angelina Jolie. Instead of portraying Maleficent as a one-dimensional villain, the film presents her as a misunderstood fairy who curses Princess Aurora out of betrayal and heartbreak, rather than pure malice.

  • Maleficent forms a maternal bond with Aurora, ultimately regretting her curse.
  • The true love’s kiss is not from Prince Phillip but from Maleficent herself, emphasizing love beyond romance.
  • This version challenges the traditional fairy-tale idea that a prince’s kiss is necessary for salvation.
2. Sleeping Beauty in Dark Fantasy and Horror

Many modern authors and filmmakers have explored the darker aspects of the Sleeping Beauty myth. Some notable examples include:

  • Neil Gaiman’s short story The Sleeper and the Spindle (2014) – A dark, feminist retelling where Snow White takes on the role of the savior instead of a prince.
  • Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber (1979) – Features a gothic, sensual version of Sleeping Beauty, emphasizing themes of female empowerment and transformation.
  • Horror Films like Sleeping Beauty (2011) and The Curse of Sleeping Beauty (2016) – These adaptations turn the tale into a psychological thriller or supernatural horror story.
3. Feminist and Subversive Retellings

Many recent adaptations focus on giving Sleeping Beauty agency rather than portraying her as a passive princess waiting to be saved. Some modern themes include:

  • The princess breaking her own curse, rather than relying on a prince.
  • Questioning the ethics of a non-consensual “true love’s kiss”, which has been criticized in recent years.
  • Rewriting the tale to explore deeper ideas about choice, destiny, and personal empowerment.

Conclusion

The story of Sleeping Beauty has traveled through centuries, transforming from a dark and complex folktale into a beloved children’s classic and later into a subject of modern reinterpretation. From Giambattista Basile’s disturbing original tale to Charles Perrault’s romanticized version, and finally to Disney’s magical retelling, each adaptation has shaped the way audiences perceive the story.

Over time, Sleeping Beauty has evolved beyond a passive princess awaiting rescue—modern versions explore darker themes, female empowerment, and alternative perspectives, making the tale more dynamic and thought-provoking. Whether through Disney’s heroic Prince Phillip, Maleficent’s tragic backstory, or feminist retellings that challenge the original message, Sleeping Beauty continues to be a story of transformation, fate, and the power of storytelling itself.

Its enduring legacy proves that fairy tales are not just relics of the past but living narratives, constantly reimagined to reflect the values, fears, and dreams of each new generation.

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