Notes on the Story of Rapunzel

Characters

• Young Man and Woman: Lived in a small house, wished for a daughter.
• Witch: Owner of a garden full of beautiful flowers and herbs.
• Rapunzel: Daughter of the young couple, taken by the witch.
• Prince: Discovered Rapunzel and was enchanted by her singing.

Plot Summary

Introduction

• A young couple living in a small house desires to have a child.
• They see a beautiful garden belonging to a witch.
• The wife desires the lettuce from the witch's garden, falls ill without it.

Conflict

• The husband steals lettuce for his wife, caught by the witch.
• Witch makes husband promise to give her their future child in exchange for more lettuce.

Rising Action

• Rapunzel is born, and the witch takes her away, locking her in a tower.
• Rapunzel's hair grows long and possesses magical healing powers.
• The witch uses Rapunzel's hair to climb the tower.

Climax

• Rapunzel desires to see the outside world.
• A prince hears Rapunzel singing and is enchanted.
• The prince climbs the tower and proposes to Rapunzel.
• Rapunzel agrees to marry the prince.

Falling Action

• The witch discovers Rapunzel’s plan to escape.
• In anger, the witch cuts Rapunzel’s hair and banishes her to a desert.
• The prince returns, encounters the witch instead of Rapunzel, and is blinded.

Resolution

• The prince wanders blind for years and eventually finds Rapunzel in the desert.
• Rapunzel's tears heal the prince’s blindness.
• They return to the prince's kingdom and marry.
• Rapunzel reunites with her real parents, learns the witch has died.

Themes

• Desire and Consequence: The couple's desire for lettuce leads to losing their child.
• Freedom and Imprisonment: Rapunzel's longing for freedom contrasts with her imprisonment by the witch.
• Love and Sacrifice: The prince’s dedication and Rapunzel’s tears symbolize love's healing power.

Important Events

• Rapunzel's birth and abduction by the witch.
• Rapunzel’s enchanting singing attracts the prince.
• Rapunzel’s escape plan thwarted by the witch.
• Prince's blinding and eventual reunion with Rapunzel.
• Rapunzel’s discovery of her real identity and subsequent marriage.

Conclusion

• Rapunzel and the prince live happily ever after.
• The story concludes with their marriage and the celebration of their union in the kingdom.