Iowasi's avatar
I only have two problems with your post - first, Mother Gothel did not exist before SP, so therefore she is a female human version of Simba. Simba was waaay before Tangled.

And Disney isn't perfect. They're going to make mistakes.
Don't expect anything or anyone to be perfect unless you are yourself.
PurpleInk777's avatar
Actually, Mother Gothel existed long before Disney made Tangled. The tale of Rapunzel goes back quite a way (at least back to medieval times). And in all versions of the Rapunzel story, Gothel always held the girl in the tower, with only the heroine's long tresses for access in and out of said tower. So Gothel was well-known, long before Disney brainstormed over The Lion King. :nod:

I don't expect perfection - just a good story, or two. I'm sure you feel the same way. :)

But thank you, all the same. :iconhowdyplz:
Iowasi's avatar
I thought she wasn't named in the original story - or just called a Witch or Mother. My bad for that mistake.
I already knew Rapunzel didn't start with Disney... in fact, since most kids were raised on fairy tales (maybe not anymore), I'd be surprised if someone didn't know the story.

The Lion King was based off (at least partially) of Hamlet by Shakespeare, so it has a pretty lengthy origin too (thought not quite as long). The sequel was based off of Romeo and Juliet, at least partially - which I think helps explain why Simba was overprotective (also, maybe he didn't want Kiara to have to live a life like he did, therefore forbidding her from seeing ones he believed to have helped ruin his life). He just wanted his daughter to be safe.
PurpleInk777's avatar
According to Wikipedia - Rapunzel, the villainess has been called 'Gothel' for quite some time. Her role in the story varies: In some stories, she is a grotesque witch (her appearance owing to the fact that she is evil); while in others, she is merely a herbalist/medicine woman, who, upon discovering a thief in her garden (Rapunzel's father, of course), strikes a bargain with him -- in exchange for the much-desired herbs (and therefore his wife's and unborn baby's good health) -- the couple must offer her their child, upon its birth! :wtf:

In Tangled, the story is only slightly tweaked: Gothel is just a woman in need of a 'fountain of youth'; so craves a magical flowering plant -- which eventually leads her to kidnap a young princess from her cradle! Also, Gothel's later obsession with keeping Rapunzel locked up in the tower, is explored; while reading Tangled - An in-depth analysis of Mother Gothel, through the eyes of a four year old! And you're right: These tales really ARE 'as old as time'! :wow:

You're also right about The Lion King's first two movies: 1 = Hamlet; 2 = Romeo and Juliet. But you might be interested to learn that Simba's story also borrows elements from the historical figures (and prophets of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths), Joseph and Moses. Both historical figures' stories lend credence to the "favourite son, who was later cruelly driven away from home -- only to assume power, as an adult (Joseph); but was also seeming unrecognisable, upon his return (as in Moses' case)." The rest is pure Shakespeare. ;)

But it was as much for Simba's inner child, as much as his concern for his fast-growing daughter's safety; that the overprotective dad behaved as he did; as is explored in Character Psychology - Scar, Simba and Zira and
Simba's Leadership – A Socio-Symbolic Content Analysis and its Empirical Examination among Children and Students
. (What a mouthful! :ohmygod:) As sad as it sounds, even as an adult; Simba wasn't far removed, from the little cub who witnessed his dad's murder in the gorge -- only for the perpetrator to blame him for causing such a nasty 'accident'..! :(
Iowasi's avatar
Um... Thank you for all of that information, I suppose...
PurpleInk777's avatar
Oops! My bad. :blush: It happens, at times... :blushes: Nevertheless, I've studied fables and fairytales; so it just flows, like a river. :nod:

But you're welcome, all the same. :iconhowdyplz: