We all grew up hearing the story of Rapunzel, the beautiful young maiden with long, golden hair, locked away in a tower until her prince came along. But the roots of the story, as with most fairy tales, are darker and even a bit bizarre. Was Rapunzel inspired by something historical? And what is the story really trying to say?
Perhaps, Rapunzel isn’t the innocent princess we once imagined her to be…
Promo: Nothing Ever Happens in Canada
Sources:
The Annotated Brothers Grimm by Maria Tatar.
The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim.
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair” by Terri Windling, 2007.
“Why the Rapunzel Syndrome Can be Deadly” by Constance Gustke, 2017.
Written and produced by Vanessa K. Eccles.
With research assistance by Whitney Zahar.
Music by Kevin MacLeod and Epidemic Sound (paid licenses).
