Leiden University Student Repository

Scheel, Mariska (2014)

Once Upon a Time...: The Role of Princesses from Middle English Romances to Disney Films

Bachelor thesis | Engelse taal en cultuur (BA)

The portrayal of women has undergone dramatic change from the Middle English Romance to the Disney films featuring princess. While women in Middle English romances could never be the hero, in the newest Disney films they can be the hero. Although the Middle English romances "Sir Launfal" and "Sir Gowther", the fairytale "Snow White" and the Disney films "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Brave" share several motifs and themes like courtly love and chivalry, there has been a shift concerning their portrayal of women. It can be concluded that the portrayal of women in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is in line with its direct predecessor, Snow White, as well as with the medieval romances “Sir Launfal” and “Sir Gowther”. The female characters in these tales are described in a rather passive way. Brave, on the other hand, presents Merida in an active way and, therefore, breaks with the ‘anti-feminist’ tradition. This newest film has become in favour of women who take control over...Show moreThe portrayal of women has undergone dramatic change from the Middle English Romance to the Disney films featuring princess. While women in Middle English romances could never be the hero, in the newest Disney films they can be the hero. Although the Middle English romances "Sir Launfal" and "Sir Gowther", the fairytale "Snow White" and the Disney films "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Brave" share several motifs and themes like courtly love and chivalry, there has been a shift concerning their portrayal of women. It can be concluded that the portrayal of women in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is in line with its direct predecessor, Snow White, as well as with the medieval romances “Sir Launfal” and “Sir Gowther”. The female characters in these tales are described in a rather passive way. Brave, on the other hand, presents Merida in an active way and, therefore, breaks with the ‘anti-feminist’ tradition. This newest film has become in favour of women who take control over their own future by pursuing their dreams.Show less

Middle English

Propp

Sir Gowther

Sir Launfal

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Brave

Medievalism

Filmadaptation theories

Disney Films

Grimm Fairytales

Author

Scheel, Mariska

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Caon, L.M.D.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en