The Grimm Brothers version of Rapunzel was inspired by Friedrich Schulz’s version, which was inspired by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force’s version, which was inspired by Giambattista Basile’s version—dating back to 1634. Each version of the tale features a maiden trapped in a tower, and some scholars speculate that the original story is based on the life of Saint Barbara who was trapped in a tower by her father. While the maiden is usually a normal girl, some myths liken Rapunzel to a sun goddess. One of the earliest known stories is from 11th century Persia.
There aren’t many great changes between stories, but with any tale there are subtle differences. Some versions refer to the lettuce as rampion or parsley. The call for Rapunzel to let down her hair changes depending on the source. One such versions goes “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb thy golden stair.” What a nice rhyme. In the Italian version the fairy is replaced by an ogress, and the prince and Rapunzel’s visits are describe in scandalous language. Another version has Rapunzel’s hair grow back when she and the prince are reunited. One retelling gives us what becomes of Mother Gothel (Dame Gothel) after the prince jumps from the tower: the hair slips from her grip and, landing far below, traps her in the tower forever.
It has been Disney-fied; which is quite a sweet, fun movie.
Narrator’s Moral: Don’t steal. Also, don’t lock anyone up in a tower and forget to teach them basic biology.
Narrator’s Favorite Variations:
Into the Woods--Musical Cress, by Marissa Meyer--Book Golden, by Cameron Dokey--Book Tangled--Movie