4 Disney Couples: What They Can Show Us About Love
Disney Couples
Aladdin and Princess Jasmine (Aladdin)
A look at their love story:
Summary of their relationship: Aladdin was poor. Jasmine was a princess. He had no rules. All she had was rules. They met when he saved her from almost getting her hand chopped off after stealing a loaf of bread from the market. When he got the genie out of the lamp his first wish was to be a prince so he would be able to legally court Princess Jasmine.
How it all turned out: Jasmine eventually learned who Aladdin truly was. Jafer kidnapped Jasmine and Aladdin saved her. Her father ended up changing the law of whom she was allowed to marry, thus allowing Aladdin and Jasmine to marry.
What they can show us: Your money and status mean nothing in the grander scheme of things. The best way to impress someone is by being yourself, no matter what, flaws and all.
Prince Eric and Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
A look at their love story:
Summary of their relationship: Eric was a prince. Ariel was a mermaid princess who was unhappy with her underwater life and was curious about human life on land. She ended up swimming to the top to watch a birthday party Prince Eric was having. Unfortunately, a storm came and hit the ship he was on and Ariel ended up saving him and sang to him until he woke up. Then she swam away.
How it all turned out: After she saved him he vowed to find out who she was. After some run-ins with Ursula the sea witch and the disapproval from her father, they eventually found each other again. Her father gave her legs so she could be on land and marry Eric.
What they can show us: Even though he saw her turn into a mermaid he still loved her anyway. Which means, you really can't help who you love. Love just happens.
I realize this might seem like a kookie thing to write about. I admit the idea came to me a while back when I was watching Dancing with the Stars. They were having Disney night. All that aside though as I was sitting there watching it, it dawned on me that there are some Disney couples that despite being animated actually have the ability to show the true beauty of real love and it's intended meaning.
The Beast and Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
A look at their love story:
Summary of their relationship: The Beast was a prince who was cursed into a beast by an enchantress for refusing to shelter her from the cold. Belle was a book worm who was tired of her village and seeking excitement elsewhere. They met because her father got lost on his way to a convention and went to the beast's castle and he ended up holding her father prisoner. She found her father and decided to take her father's place as the beast's captive.
How it all turned out: Well, they had a rocky start but they eventually warmed up to each other. He fell for her after he saved her from a pack of wolves and she took care of him because he got bit by said wolves. The beast let her go to save her father who was looking for her. Gaston came barging in the castle to kill the beast. They fought and the beast died, Belle declared her love for him. He turned back into the prince and they ended up together.
What they can show us: That as much as people say looks and personality matter in the grander scheme, it doesn't. She fell for him while he was the big burly hairy snarling beast not when he was the handsome prince. Even though he wasn't the nicest guy she saw there was more to him and used her kindness to help him open up his heart. My point being, that you can fall for anybody whether they're attractive or not. You can fall for them even when their personality isn't the best. Just because they don't look or act perfect doesn't mean they're not worth it. Because everybody is worthy of being loved.
John Smith and Pocahontas (Pocahontas)
A look at their love story:
Summary of their relationship: John Smith was a captain who was on a ship headed to a quote "New World" from England with British settlers on it. Pocahontas was the daughter of Chief Powhatan of the Powhatan tribe. Upon entering into this "new world" Captain Smith decides to go look around and then encounters Pocahontas.
How it all turned out: They first became friends and then fell in love. Her father orders for Captain Smith to be executed at sunrise but Captain Smith's compass leads Pocahontas to him. She's able to throw herself in between the two men and stops her father from executing him, thus bringing peace between the two groups. However, the governor that Captain Smith traveled with, doesn't agree with maintaining peace. He tries to shoot the Chief but Captain Smith jumps in front of him and gets shot instead. He has to go back home to a hospital to recover and asks Pocahontas to come with him. She said she has to stay with her tribe. Her father does give him the okay to come back to the tribe anytime.
What they can show us: I know John Smith and Pocahontas are real people who were really together, but this isn't about the real couple it's about the Disney one. So, what they show is that even people from two different cultures and maybe even on opposite sides can come together and form a beautiful love. Being a different race or from a different culture doesn't stop your heart from loving who it loves even if it isn't deemed acceptable, even if you don't ultimately end up together.
