Blog Entry 6


"The Frog King" and "Cupid and Psyche" are two very different stories. "The Frog King" originates from Germany and was written by the Brothers Grimm around 1812. It is categorized as a fairy tale which can be defined as; written work by a specific author. It is in a fixed place and time and has artistic and sophisticated language with an original and creative plot. The setting is specific and characters are multidimensional. It has a complex worldview which means there are no formulas and not always a happy ending.  
"Cupid and Psyche", on the other hand, originates from the Roman Empire in 2nd century AD and was written by Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis. It is categorized as a myth which can be defined as; narratives which are believed to be true about gods or supernatural beings who operate beyond the realm of human existence, and from whose experiences humans can draw moral lessons.
Both stories center around a main female character who has unbelievable beauty. Both are princesses and are the youngest of three daughters. Their characters also poorly represent females as Psyche is too curious and allows herself to be influenced by her jealous sisters and the princess in "The Frog King" has no integrity and does not honor her word.
Monsters are also present in both stories as the frog is considered to be a monstrous and ugly being and Psyche’s destined husband is described as a monster.
The parents in each story are similar. Both sets of parents do what is right even if it may have been difficult. In "The Frog King" the King instructs his daughter to keep her word to the frog. He insists she lets the frog in the castle, lets him eat off her plate and sleep in her bed with her. In "Cupid and Psyche" her parents send her to the mountain where the oracle stated her fate awaited her. They could have quite easily let her continue living her life and ignored her supposed fate.
The stories then part here and are very different from each other. In "The Frog King" action is incited by the princess playing with her golden ball and dropping it down the well. In "Cupid and Psyche" Venus is jealous of Psyche’s beauty and attention she receives and this is what starts the action. The detail in these stories are not comparable and lean towards the category of story they are (fairy tales and myth).
Both do have a happy ending with the frog turning into a prince and marrying the princess and Psyche and Cupid reuniting, marrying and having a child. The princess is rewarded with marriage and is set to live happily ever after.

Sources for images:
https://www.pookpress.co.uk/the-frog-prince-story-a-tale-by-the-brothers-grimm/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid_and_Psyche


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Entry 11

Image
This semester I have read and learned about a lot of new and old fairy tales. These fairy tales were “Brier Rose”, “Cinderella”, “Little Snow White”, “The Brave Little Tailor”, “The Frog King”, “Little Red Cap”, “The Robber Bridegroom”, “Bluebeard”, “Fitcher’s Bird”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “The Juniper Tree” and “Rapunzel”.  Some of these tales were known to me and others weren’t. The interesting part was that even the tales I did know I realized I didn’t know the original Brothers Grimm version of the tale. I learned a lot about the Brothers Grimm themselves and how what is happening in society can be reflected in literature from that time. Knowing who the Brothers Grimm were and where they were from allowed a deeper understanding and respect for the tales they wrote.  I feel like when I read fairy tales I can’t wait to unearth and decipher the meaning behind the words being read. It is an exciting and useful tool to be able to analyze and look beyond just...
Read more

Blog Entry 2

Image
The Brothers Grimm 2005 fantasy movie is an interesting one to watch. It contains little fact as to what the real Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s lives were like and many inaccuracies. This however comes as no surprise as the film is fantasy. The film depicts the brothers as con-men who kill the supernatural/magic and record their travels. When caught by the French the brothers are forced to help save a village that’s children are missing. Jacob is played by Heath Ledger and is portrayed as meek, mild and a bookworm. Wilhelm is played by Matt Damon and is portrayed as in charge, charismatic and confident. There ends up being an evil witch taking the children and using them to bring her youth back. There is a love interest for both brothers in the form of Angelika a villager who helps them navigate the enchanted forest. The brothers overcome many obstacles but are able to save each other, Angelika, the village and the children. The film ends with the brothers reconsidering thei...
Read more

Blog Entry 10

Image
The cartoon I have chosen centers around the theme of Rapunzel’s long hair. The scene is a ‘high school’ Rapunzel getting picked up for prom by her date. Her date is in a blue tuxedo, standing next to a car and is saying “I like you with your hair up”. Rapunzel is wearing purple floor-length dress and has her hair braided/woven up in a long stack on top of her head.   As discussed in class, hair can be seen in fairy tales as a symbol of femininity, strength, beauty, and sexuality. In the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale and Disney film ‘Tangled’ Rapunzel’s long hair seems to also serve a purpose. In both her hair is used to ensure she is unable to leave the tower in which Mother Gothel locks her in, it also ensures that there is only one way up to the tower to deter outsiders. In Disney’s ‘Tangled’ Rapunzel’s hair also has magic qualities; it can give youth and heal wounds. The symbolism of the hair is also present in both tales and due to the ease at whic...
Read more