What are the Common Themes in Disney Villain Origin Stories?

Cruella de Vil from '101 Dalmatians' has an origin story that might be related to her obsession with fashion. Her desire for a fur coat made from the Dalmatians' skins was extreme. It could be that her upbringing in a fashion - centered world made her view the dogs as mere objects for her to achieve her sartorial dreams, thus making her a villain.

Well, a big theme is the humanization of the villains. In fan fiction, writers might show that the villains have emotions and reasons for their actions that we don't see in the movies. For example, Cruella de Vil might be shown as having a troubled past that led to her obsession with fur. Also, the theme of alternate universes is quite popular. It could be an alternate universe where the villains are the heroes or where they succeed in their evil plans. There's also the theme of love and relationships for the villains. Maybe a fan fiction about Ursula falling in love with someone unexpected.

One reason Disney villain origin stories are compelling is the element of tragedy. For example, Maleficent. She was once a kind fairy who was betrayed. This betrayal led to her transformation into a villain. It shows that often villains are not born evil but made by circumstances.

Villain origin stories drive the plot. In 'Aladdin', Jafar's ambition and his backstory of always being power - hungry lead to his various schemes against Aladdin. His origin story sets up his goals and actions throughout the movie, which in turn moves the story forward.

One common element is a sense of loss. Losing someone or something important in their past can make them bitter and vengeful. For instance, if they lose a loved one due to the actions of others, they might decide to take revenge on the world.

One common element is a sense of injustice. Usually, the future villain experiences some form of unfair treatment, like being bullied or discriminated against. Another element is isolation. They often feel alone in their situation, which makes their negative feelings grow. For example, a character might be the only one of their kind in a village and be treated poorly because of it.

One common theme is revenge. Villains in short stories often seek revenge for some real or perceived wrong. For example, in many stories, a character was wronged in the past and now becomes a villain to get back at those who hurt them. Another theme is power. Villains are often driven by a desire for power, whether it's over people, wealth or territory. Greed is also a common theme. They want more than they should have, like the pirates who steal gold in some short stories.

The theme of self - discovery also exists. The villain may discover new aspects of themselves through their love for someone else. Their love can be a catalyst for them to question their own identity and motives, leading to a transformation in their character.

The Disney princess stories have their origin in various sources. Some come from ancient fables and legends. Cinderella, for instance, has versions that exist in different cultures. Disney typically takes these age - old stories, polishes them up, gives them a more family - friendly and charming narrative. They also incorporate modern values to a certain extent while still maintaining the essence of the original tales. This way, they create princess stories that can be enjoyed by a wide audience around the world.

One of the top villain origin stories could be that of the Joker. He had a rough life, facing abuse and a series of misfortunes in Gotham. His fall into madness was a slow process, starting from being a failed comedian and then being pushed over the edge by society's cruelty. Another could be Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker was a promising Jedi, but his fear of losing his loved ones, especially his mother's death and the premonition of Padmé's death, led him to the dark side. He was also manipulated by Palpatine. Then there's Magneto. Growing up as a Jew during the Holocaust, he witnessed the worst of humanity. This experience made him determined to protect mutants at all costs, even if it meant using extreme and villainous methods against non - mutants.