In Rapunzel, the Grimm brothers write about a man whose wife wanted a rapunzel plant, and he tried to steal it from the enchantress’s garden. The man stated “let mercy take the place of justice”, which can be understood as his moral responsibility for his wife (Grimm and Grimm). He was aware that his wife, as any person in the world, has certain desires and the need to receive pleasure, and the man decided that it is time for mercy. At the same time, this man agrees to the terms and conditions of the enchantress since he understands that any desire satisfaction, especially lust, leads to consequences. The human connection, namely, the relationship with his wife, is the basis for decision-making in this fairy tale. While the sorcerer’s conditions seem to be brutal, it becomes evident that they are fair.
In many fairy tales, girls are presented as weak human beings, but in Rapunzel, the main character is not afraid to contribute to her happiness. She interacts with the prince and believes that she deserves a better life. The happy end of the story encourages young females to explore the opportunities instead of being passive. This is the moral compass that helps them be open to changes even though the world might seem hostile. Rapunzel can be identified as a symbol of empowerment, where morals involve not only caring about society but also personal well-being. Honesty, integrity, and openness are the main morals that are provided by this story.
Reference
Grimm, Jacob Ludwig Karl, and Wilhelm Carl Grimm. “Rapunzel.” 19th-Century German Stories. n.d. Web.