Evil Queen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Evil Queen |
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The Evil Queen with her mirror in an American illustration from 1913
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| First appearance | Grimms' Fairy Tales (1812) |
| Created by | The Brothers Grimm (adapted from pre-existing fairy tales) |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Queen consort, witch (secretly) |
| Spouse(s) | King |
| Children | Snow White (daughter in the original version, stepdaughter since the 1819 revision) |
The Evil Queen, also known as the Wicked Queen, is a famous character. She is the main bad guy in the German fairy tale "Snow White". This story was written down by the Brothers Grimm. Similar stories are found in many other countries too.
The Evil Queen is Snow White's mean stepmother. She really wants to be the most beautiful person in the whole land. Snow White is a beautiful young princess. This makes the Queen very jealous. So, the Queen tries many ways to hurt Snow White. She often uses witchcraft to do this. A big part of her story is her Magic Mirror. In the original tale, the Queen gets a very harsh punishment for her bad actions. The story teaches kids about being too proud and self-centered.
Many other versions of the Queen appear in books and movies. Sometimes, she is shown in a different way. She might have mixed feelings or be unwell. In some stories, she is even a main character who isn't entirely good or bad. The Queen has also become a famous type of character. She has inspired many other villains in different stories.
Contents
The Evil Queen in "Snow White"
The Brothers Grimm Story
The Evil Queen is a very beautiful woman. But she is also very proud and full of herself. She secretly uses dark magic. When the King's first wife dies, Snow White's father marries again. His new wife is very beautiful. But she is also mean and vain. She becomes the new Queen and Snow White's stepmother.
The Queen owns a magic mirror. One day, the mirror tells her that Princess Snow White is now more beautiful than she is. The Queen decides to get rid of Snow White. She orders her Huntsman to take the princess into the forest. She tells him to kill Snow White. The Queen wants him to bring back Snow White's lungs and liver. This would be proof that the princess is dead.
However, the Huntsman feels sorry for Snow White. He brings the Queen the lungs and liver of a wild boar instead. The Queen has her cook prepare them. She eats what she thinks are Snow White's organs.
Ten years later, the Queen asks her mirror again. She finds out that Snow White is still alive. The Queen decides to kill Snow White herself. She uses witchcraft to make poisons. She dresses up as an old peddler woman. She visits the dwarfs' house. She sells Snow White laces for a corset. She ties the laces too tight, trying to choke the girl.
When that fails, the Queen comes back. This time, she is a comb seller. She tricks Snow White into using a poisoned comb. When the comb does not kill Snow White, the Queen visits again. She is disguised as a farmer's wife. She gives Snow White a poisoned apple.
In the end, Snow White and the Prince from another kingdom find out the Queen's true nature. They invite her to their wedding. There, she is forced to put on red-hot iron shoes. She has to "dance" until she dies.
Different Story Endings
The classic ending of "Snow White" is very harsh. The Evil Queen is tricked into going to Snow White's wedding. She is then punished until she dies. Many people today think this ending is too scary or sad for children.
Sara Maitland wrote that "we do not tell this part of the story any more." She said it is "too cruel" for kids. Because of this, many newer versions of the fairy tale change the ending. They make it less violent. In some stories, the Queen does not die. Instead, she is simply stopped from doing more bad things.
However, a 2014 survey in the UK asked adults about fairy tales. The Queen from "Snow White" was voted the scariest fairy tale character. About two-thirds of adults also thought that today's stories are too "safe" for children.
The first English translation of the Grimms' tale was in 1823. In that version, the Queen becomes overwhelmed by her own jealousy. She sees Snow White alive and dies from her anger. Another early translation from 1871 changed the Queen's death. She died from her own anger. Her own shoes became hot because of her rage.
Other endings for the Queen include:
- She might suddenly die "of anger" at the wedding.
- She might die in front of her mirror when she learns Snow White is alive.
- She might die from her own plans going wrong.
- She might die by accident, like falling into sinking sand.
- The dwarfs might kill her during a chase.
- Her own mirror might destroy her.
- She might run away into the forest and never be seen again.
- She might simply be sent away from the kingdom forever.
Other Appearances and Inspired Characters
The Evil Queen character has appeared in many other stories. She has also inspired new characters.
In Other Stories
The Queen has shown up in TV shows, books, and video games.
- In a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch, Alice plays the Queen.
- In the 1989 Berenstain Bears book Trick or Treat, Queenie dresses as the Wicked Queen for Halloween.
- Koopa plays the Queen in an episode of Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros..
- In the 2007 animated film Shrek the Third, the Evil Queen joins Prince Charming. She wants to take over Far Far Away. But by the end, she becomes good. She says she always wanted to open a spa in France.
- In the 2009 novel Devoured, the Queen's name is Helena.
- In the Dark Parables video game series, the jealous Queen enchants the King. She wants him to kill Snow White and Ross Red.
- The Disney version of the Queen also appears in other Disney movies. She even has a small appearance in the 1977 film Annie Hall.
Characters Inspired by the Queen
The Evil Queen has inspired many other characters in movies and books.
- The Brothers Grimm (2005): Monica Bellucci plays a villain like the Queen. She is obsessed with being beautiful forever.
- Enchanted (2007): Queen Narissa, played by Susan Sarandon, is the villain. She is very much like the Evil Queen.
- Fantaghirò (1992): Actress Brigitte Nielsen said she based her role as the Black Witch on Disney's Evil Queen.
- Sailor Moon: Queen Nehellenia is a main villain. She is based on evil sorceresses from fairy tales. Like the Evil Queen, she has a large magic mirror and is very vain.
- Stardust (1999): Author Neil Gaiman said "Snow White" made him like "wicked and magnificent witch-queens." This is why he put one in his book.
- Tom Thumb and Little Red Riding Hood (1962): The Queen Witch is the boss of all evil. She looks like Disney's Evil Queen.
Images for kids
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An entertainer dressed as the Evil Queen at the Walt Disney World
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Charlize Theron in 2015
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Patricia Medina in 1953
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Queen Brangomar and Witch Hex in an illustration for the play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
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Lana Parrilla in 2012
