"The Twelve Dancing Princesses" Characters Analysis

In Ruth Sanderson's enchanting tale, "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," a classic fairy tale is brought to life with vivid illustrations and engaging storytelling. The story revolves around twelve princesses who mysteriously dance their shoes into tatters every night, and the young soldier who uncovers their secret. This character analysis explores the key characters in the book, their roles, traits, backgrounds, character arcs, and relationships.

List of Characters

Role Identification

Soldier: The soldier serves as the main protagonist in the story. He is a brave and persistent young man who is determined to solve the mystery of the dancing princesses.

King: The king is the father of the twelve princesses. He is concerned about the well-being of his daughters and offers a reward to anyone who can solve the mystery of their worn-out shoes.

Twelve Princesses: The twelve princesses are the central characters in the story. They are portrayed as beautiful and graceful young women who love to dance. However, they are also burdened by a secret that they must keep hidden.

Enchantress: The enchantress is the antagonist in the story. She is responsible for enchanting the princesses and causing them to dance each night, resulting in their worn-out shoes.

Character Descriptions

Soldier: The soldier is described as a young man with a strong physique and a determined look in his eyes. He is depicted as brave, intelligent, and resourceful. His military background serves him well as he embarks on his quest to solve the mystery of the dancing princesses.

King: The king is depicted as a wise and caring father. He is shown as a middle-aged man with a regal appearance and a kind expression. The king is concerned about his daughters' well-being and is willing to reward anyone who can uncover the truth behind their worn-out shoes.

Twelve Princesses: The twelve princesses are portrayed as beautiful and graceful young women. Each princess has her distinct personality and appearance, which is brought to life through Sanderson's illustrations. They are depicted as elegant and full of life, but also burdened by the secret they must keep.

Enchantress: The enchantress is portrayed as a mysterious and powerful figure. She is depicted as an ethereal being with dark eyes and flowing robes. Her presence is felt throughout the story, as she casts a spell on the princesses to make them dance each night.

Character Traits

Soldier: The soldier possesses several admirable traits, including bravery, intelligence, and determination. He demonstrates his bravery by willingly accepting the challenge to solve the mystery of the worn-out shoes. His intelligence is evident as he carefully observes the princesses' actions and uses his wit to uncover their secret. Additionally, his determination is showcased as he perseveres through various obstacles to achieve his goal.

King: The king is characterized by his wisdom and love for his daughters. He demonstrates wisdom by seeking help from others and offering a reward for the solution to the mystery. His love for his daughters is evident in his concern for their well-being and his willingness to go to great lengths to protect them.

Twelve Princesses: The twelve princesses exhibit traits such as beauty, grace, and an innate love for dance. They are portrayed as kind-hearted and loyal to each other, as they share the burden of their secret and support one another.

Enchantress: The enchantress embodies darkness, power, and mystery. She possesses the ability to cast spells and manipulate the princesses, making them dance against their will. Her motivations and background remain largely unknown, adding to her enigmatic nature.

Character Background

Soldier: The soldier's background is not explicitly revealed in the book. However, his military training suggests that he has undergone rigorous training and possesses skills that aid him in his quest to solve the mystery of the dancing princesses.

King: The king's background is also not extensively explored in the story. He is presented as a loving father who has ruled his kingdom wisely and cares deeply for his daughters' well-being.

Twelve Princesses: The princesses' background is rooted in royalty and privilege. They are the daughters of the king and have grown up in a lavish palace. However, their background is overshadowed by the enchantment that has befallen them, forcing them to dance every night.

Enchantress: The enchantress's background remains largely mysterious. It is implied that she possesses powerful magic and harbors resentment towards the king and his family, but her exact origins and motivations are left to the reader's imagination.

Character Arcs

Soldier: The soldier undergoes a significant character arc throughout the story. Initially motivated by the reward offered by the king, he becomes genuinely invested in solving the mystery and helping the princesses. His bravery and determination are tested as he overcomes various challenges, ultimately leading to the liberation of the princesses and the defeat of the enchantress.

Twelve Princesses: The princesses go through a collective character arc. At the beginning of the story, they are burdened by the enchantment and the need to keep their secret hidden. As the soldier enters their lives, they begin to experience hope and find solace in his presence. Through their interactions with the soldier, they regain their freedom and are able to live happily ever after.

Enchantress: The enchantress's character arc is one of destruction and defeat. As the antagonist, she seeks to control and manipulate the princesses, but ultimately faces defeat at the hands of the soldier. Although her background and motivations are not fully explored, her actions and eventual defeat serve as a resolution to the conflict.

Relationships

The relationships between the characters in "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" play a crucial role in the development of the story.

The soldier forms a bond with the princesses, particularly the eldest princess, as they work together to uncover the truth. Their relationship evolves from one of suspicion to trust and understanding, as they collaborate to break the enchantment.

The king's relationship with his daughters is portrayed as loving and caring. He is deeply concerned for their well-being and offers a reward to anyone who can solve the mystery. His relationship with the soldier is one of mutual respect and gratitude, as the soldier's actions lead to the liberation of the princesses.

The princesses' relationship with each other is depicted as close-knit and supportive. They share the burden of their secret and rely on each other for emotional support throughout their journey.

The enchantress's relationship with the princesses is one of control and manipulation. She holds power over them through her enchantment, forcing them to dance against their will. Her relationship with the soldier is one of opposition, as he seeks to liberate the princesses from her spell.

In conclusion, "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" presents a cast of diverse and intriguing characters. From the brave soldier to the enchanting princesses and the mysterious enchantress, each character contributes to the enchanting tale and its resolution. Through their roles, traits, backgrounds, character arcs, and relationships, Sanderson brings this classic fairy tale to life with her captivating storytelling and beautiful illustrations.