Beware of Fairytale

Bluebeard is the perfect tale showing it's initial intended audience, adults. It captures a good amount of violence that can terrify a child causing nightmares before bed instead of providing them a soothing and enchanting tale. It is definitely a tale that children should be or had to beware of.  The "happily ever after" is not present in this tale, at least not in the way Disney would do it. The woman remained with Bluebeard's riches and estate eventually marrying another man. As the notes on Bluebeard stated "fairy tales start with trouble and end up with martial bliss, while Perrault's fairytale begins with marriage and ends with attempted murder" Not only does it end with attempted murder of his wife but also the killing of Bluebeard. Let's not forget about that.

This picture embodies the art of what fairy tales were intended to be and are supposed to be like. They are dark yet enchanting tales filled with lessons, morals and fantasies. The picture also brings out the darkness of the Bluebeard fairytale. Bluebeard's wife married him believing he it would be a pleasant marriage filled with happiness and wealth, yet hiding within that blue beard was deep dark past. A past that was painted with silver and gold and embroidered furniture.  The woman was deceived, alone in the horror of his past, embraced by the souls of his estranged wives. It's a chilling tale. No wonder it didn't make the Disney cut and if it did, he or they would only distort the tale.

Sad Truth in Hansel & Gretel

I find this tale to be very distressing and relevant to families of this present time. In the tale the wood cutter had a desire to feed his family; to be together with his children without the pull of poverty heckling them. This is true to families today who have children, perhaps more children than planned, that cannot get a financial grip. Though in reality there aren't parents who would send their children off into the abyss in order to be better off themselves, unless there were psychotic, there is a form an abandonment. Parents can verbally, mentally, and emotionally drive away their children by saying remarks of regret; saying things that indicate their existence is indeed a burden.

When this occurs, children often fetch a better life for themselves, getting lost in a world seeking acceptance and fortune. The woods represent that lost living. Living without purpose because of the present financial instability. When they finally find something that looks and feels like paradise it is often times deceiving. It's like a sugar coated misery. Once it is unmasked the journey of dealing with the present situation and finding a strategy to get out might taking longer than expected. Though the ending of the tale results in them living happily ever after, it is not a real aspect of life. Becoming financially stable doesn't fall on the laps of average people. There is a small percentage who are fortunately born into wealthy families, meanwhile the rest need a journey to it if they ever achieve it.

Don't Judge the Wolf

Maria de France's Bisclavret gives a different light to the wolf's evil persona. Bisclavret was a hurting man, who feared the truth would separate him and his wife. Though he tried many times to explain his reasoning to his wife and tried to avoid his fear coming true, her persistence fulfilled what he tried so hard to avoid. She rejected him and made his curse permanent.

The wolf has now become pitied. It is no longer a creature who causes harm to innocent humans. It is a creature who was actually harmed by humans therefore leaving a the plan of revenge to fester. All Bisclavret wanted was to be in love with his wife and enjoy that pleasure. But he was deceived, even though she promised him her love forever.

"My Lord, the lady replied It's true, mor than all the world I love you. You should hide nothing from me nor ever doubt I'm loyal in any affair. That would not seem like true friendship. How have I ever sinned? What slip makes me seem unworthy to you?" (3)

I say, don't judge the wolf. The wolf has undergone some extremities himself; being curse not only physically but emotionally and mentally. It gives reason as to why the wolf is so hostile. People can be wolves themselves. Marked by miseries and tragedies they go around terrorizing others, looking for revenge, and peace or hoping to find a miserable companion.