Beauty and the Beast! Thoughts and Theory.

Hello!

So lately there has been a bit hype surrounding Disney's remake of "Beauty and the Beast" and not to spoil the movie, it is more or less a modern live action copy of the original film that was released in 1991. Though I am not saying the original was bad but for Disney's sake, they could have done better. But this post is not about my ranting on everything they did wrong but more as theory, to in a way from the research I have done to disprove the story.

To start off with the story was originally based on a french man by the name of  Petrus Gonsalvus (born in 1537). Who during his early years was treated as being a mere oddity because of the fact that he had "Hypertrichosis" or Ambras syndrome which was caused by the mutation of genes during childbirth. Though as time went on his life got somewhat better by eventually becoming a nobleman within the french court, and getting to raise a family. whom at first did not care for him but over time did see the good in him. thus with all things realized that he was nothing more than a common man. Yet different he was not a beast as the people of the time period believed him to be.

You are probably thinking how does his story disprove the one that is known? It actually doesn't as he to a degree help inspire the story that we know and love today. So at this point to me, I feel that the story itself is good for what it is but yet now I feel like the beast is deserving of some credit. In his own way based on the version created by Disney, he became what he was as the result of his selfishness by not providing a place of shelter for an enchantress. Whom at the time disguised herself as an old beggar woman.

Now you're probably thinking this has to be farfetched, well for the sake of this variant of the story we will just have to make it work since when that happened he had not yet even reached the age of 20. So most likely he was a very young man. Though in logic, I believe his turning into a beast was most likely the result of him not experiencing love from his own parents and in return, it became resentment and anger that was built up over time.

At this point what are your thoughts on this classic tale, and as always I wish you the best in life.




Further reading:

The original story
Beauty and Beast
Marriage Can Be Monstrous, or Wondrous: The Origins of “Beauty and the Beast”

Dr. Jekyll script

Setting: The scene starts with a common 18^th century style bedroom where a servant who once worked for a Dr. David J. Jekyll is sitting by the bedside of his/her grandchildren in a very homely like fashion with a slight yet not thunderous drizzle of rain falling to the ground.  As the telling of tale progresses the scene shifts to that of the lab where Dr. Jekyll is working on his latest experiment and the dialogue transitions from the narrator to Dr. Jekyll which is located at another point on the stage. Where the lighting has since then changed focus.

Characters:

Dr. David J. Jekyll; Scientists bent on the idea that man is made of two sides and devises a way to prove this theory using chemicals. Is considered by some a recluse but does have a social life away from his home.

            Edward P. Hyde: Evil counter part of Dr. Jekyll and came as a result of his experiment.

Lab Assistant: Employee of Dr. Jekyll whom works with him and provides assistance when required but generally is in the role of a butler.

Dr. Robert Layton: Friend of Dr. Jekyll but no longer is as a result of a disagreement on scientific matters.

Robert J. Poole: Retried employee of Dr. Jekyll whom was the butler while in his service.

 Grandchildren:  A boy and a girl whom of which are roughly the age of 7 and 8, and related to the since retired servant.

Scene 1

Setting: A medium sized 18^th century style bedroom where rain drizzling down outside the bedroom window occasionally picking up speed and then calming down. The speed of the wind changes with each passing minute of the night.

Children: {Still awake and full of energy but are in the bed as it is bed time} Grandpa Poole, what was it like working for Dr. .Jekyll and that time he created Mr. Hyde? (They calm down a bit, but are still full of energy getting settled into the bed}

Poole: Now! Now! Settle down children as I will tell you that ever so unusual tale of tales. {The grandkids finally get settled in bed awaiting to hear the story) It all started on that faithful day when a friend of Dr. Jekyll’s, a Dr. Robert Lanyon I believe his name was were having a discussion on his theory that man has two parts a good and bad side…. [The lighting/scene shift to a different area of the stage where the two doctors can be seen in what looks like a common room having a discussion} They were good friends for the longest of time but as a result of their discussion their relationship changed.

Dr. Lanyon: Jekyll, the shear idea of what you have proposed is utterly crazy and preposterous. It is just not cricket or even an idea worth considering for scientific study. Use your talents for something useful.

Dr. Jekyll: Lanyon I believe it is possible and though the use of the right chemicals, {speaking in a strong defensive voice} Man can split itself into two parts. Like I have mentioned already:  “Man has two sides, good and bad,” by doing it would allow for the development of what some might consider to be a perfect person. I for one believe that such a drug could be made! Say what you will but in due time I will surely prove you wrong!

Dr. Lanyon: think what you will but don’t come crawling back to me when you realize that your research was a waste of time. Especially when there are better things you can spend your time developing or better yet doing for king and country! {Lanyon storms out of the house with a bit of an annoyed expression knowing in his mind that such frivolous ideas as mentioned by Dr. Jekyll were crazy.}

{Scene shifts back to the children and their grandfather for a few moments}

Poole: A few weeks later Mr. Jekyll finally came close to proving Dr. Lanyon wrong. By making the discovery that would turn him into Edward J. Hyde! Thus beginning the fantastic mystery that was soon to come. {Speaking in a mysterious tone of voice as to keep the children interested in the story]

[The children listen quietly wondering as to what is yet to come. The scene changes to lab environment to where the audience finds Dr. Jekyll is working on his split personality formula and is about ready to test it for the first time.]

Dr. Jekyll: HAHA I believe I have finally determined the formula I need to finally remove my bad side of my personality for good. {With trembling hands and the flask at the ready consumes the yellowish colored liquid, turning an unusual pinkish color. Falling down below the table with noises indicating a change is occurring, slowly rising up Jekyll has transformed into Mr. Hyde.]

Hyde: It seem as though I have finally been released from my prison. But what if someone sees what I have become? {He quickly drinks the antidote and same action as previously mentioned occurs.}

Jekyll: But I first should at least inform the staff of my evil half’s coming as he shall be known as Edward J. Hyde!  [He leaves the room and informs the staff about Mr. Hyde.}

End of scene 1