Ariel's Original Description: How The Little Mermaid's Heroine Was Portrayed

The original The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen presents Ariel, the eponymous main character, in a captivating and multifaceted way, which has been a subject of interest and interpretation for generations of readers and audiences. This iconic tale, published in 1837, introduces Ariel as a young mermaid princess who is fascinated by the human world and makes a risky deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to become human and win the love of the human prince, Eric.

In Andersen's original tale, Ariel's most prominent characteristic is her insatiable curiosity and imagination. She is captivated by the human world, collecting artifacts and mementos from shipwrecks, and is particularly drawn to music and the human voice. This curiosity is not merely superficial, but a deep-seated longing for understanding and connection with the mysterious world above the sea. This aspect of Ariel's character is magnified in the Disney adaptation, where it becomes her defining trait, leading to her memorable "Part of Your World" song.

Ariel's Appearance and Physical Qualities

Ariel's appearance is described in detail in Andersen's story. She is a young mermaid princess with long, chestnut-colored hair and a daughter's love for her father, King Triton. Her mermaid form is graceful and agile, reflecting her mermaid lineage and the powerful sea surrounding her. Andersen does not provide a physical description of Ariel's human form, as it is an outcome of the sea witch's spell and later revealed in the story.

Andersen also describes Ariel's voice as the most beautiful in the entire kingdom under the sea. This is not mere flattery, but a reflection of Ariel's unique talent and her deep connection to music. In the Disney adaptation, this aspect of Ariel's character is further developed, showcasing her powerful, enchanting voice and her love for singing.

Ariel's Mermaid Form

Ariel's mermaid form is typical of her kind, with a scaly green tail replacing her legs. This tail is not a hindrance to her, but rather an asset, allowing her to swim gracefully and dive deep into the ocean depths. Andersen's description of Ariel's mermaid form emphasizes her natural grace and agility, reflecting the freedom and beauty of the ocean world she inhabits.

One of the most striking aspects of Ariel's mermaid form is her long, thick chestnut hair, which she uses to decorate her underwater grotta with trinkets and mementos from the human world. This detail is a visual representation of Ariel's curiosity and fascination with the human world, as well as her identity as a young mermaid princess.

Ariel's Human Form

Ariel's human form is not described in detail in Andersen's original story. Instead, Andersen describes the process of Ariel becoming human, highlighting the pain and difficulty she endures. The sea witch, Ursula, gives Ariel a potion that grants her human legs, but also causes her excruciating pain with every step she takes.

This aspect of Ariel's human form serves to emphasize the high cost of her desire to become human. It also underscores the theme of sacrifice and the pain caused by unfulfilled love, which is prevalent in Andersen's fairy tales. In subsequent adaptations, particularly the Disney version, Ariel's human form is depicted as beautiful and graceful, reflecting her inherent beauty as a mermaid princess.

Ariel's Personality Traits and Motivations

Ariel's curiosity and imagination are manifestations of her deep-seated desire for knowledge and understanding. This trait drives her to defy her father's orders and visit the surface world, where she discovers the human prince, Eric, and becoming determined to win his love. Andersen's Ariel is not merely a passive dreamer, but a proactive protagonist who takes risks to achieve her goals.

Ariel's desire for knowledge is not just intellectual, but also emotional. She yearns to understand the human experience, particularly love, and is willing to put everything on the line to do so. This emotional depth makes Ariel a compelling and sympathetic character, despite the sometimes-reckless choices she makes. In this regard, Andersen's Ariel foreshadows the modern heroines frequently seen in popular culture.

Ariel's Independence and Defiance

Ariel's independence and defiance are evident in her decision to disobey her father's orders and visit the surface world. She does this not out of malice, but out of a deep-seated need for knowledge and understanding. This trait is further emphasized when Ariel decides to make the deal with the sea witch, risking everything to become human and win Eric's love.

Andersen's Ariel is not a perfect princess, but a flawed, relatable character who makes mistakes and learns from them. Her independence and defiance are not mere teenage rebelliousness, but a reflection of her inner strength and determination. This aspect of Ariel's character is further developed in the Disney adaptation, where her rebelliousness is showcased in her singing of "I Want" songs.

Ariel's Naivety and Immaturity

Despite her intelligence and curiosity, Ariel also displays naivety and immaturity in her pursuit of knowledge and love. She is so captivated by the human world that she fails to see the dangers lurking in the sea witch's offer. She is also blinded by her love for Eric, to the point where she does not consider the consequences of her actions on those around her.

This naivety and immaturity make Ariel a more relatable and human character, despite her mermaid origins. They also serve to emphasize the theme of unfulfilled love and the pain it causes, which is a common theme in Andersen's fairy tales. In the Disney version, Ariel's naivety is showcased in her misguided trust in Ursula and her failure to foresee the true cost of her deal.

The original Little Mermaid offers a complex and multifaceted portrayal of Ariel, a young mermaid princess driven by curiosity and a deep-seated desire for knowledge and love. This portrayal, which combines physical beauty, intelligence, independence, and naivety, has captivated generations of readers and audiences and continues to inspire interpretations and adaptations to this day.