European FolkloreBrothers Grimm Stories

Rapunzel

A captive girl with golden hair finds love and liberation from her high tower prison.

1 min read

5 characters

Illustration for Rapunzel - a brothers grimm stories European Folklore story with moral lessons

1 min5

Story Summary

Experience the classic Brothers Grimm story of Rapunzel, a girl with long golden hair trapped in a tower by an enchantress, and her journey to find true freedom.

A man once stole rapunzel greens from an enchantress's garden to satisfy his pregnant wife's craving. Caught in the act, he traded his unborn child for his life. When the baby was born, the enchantress, Mother Gothel, took her and named her Rapunzel. At twelve, Rapunzel was locked in a doorless tower deep in the woods. To enter, Gothel would call, 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair,' and climb the girl's seventy feet of golden tresses. One day, a prince overheard Rapunzel singing and discovered the secret. He visited her nightly, and they fell in love. When Gothel discovered the betrayal, she cut Rapunzel’s hair and banished her to a wasteland. She then tricked the prince, who fell into thorns and was blinded. After years of wandering, the prince heard Rapunzel's voice in the desert. Her tears of joy fell on his eyes, restoring his sight, and they returned to his kingdom to live in peace.

The Moral

True love and resilience can overcome the most desolate circumstances and cruelty. It also teaches that actions born of greed or deception eventually lead to hardship.

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb the golden stair.”

Fun Fact

The story of Rapunzel has roots in much older traditions, including the 11th-century Persian tale of Rudaba and the early Christian legend of Saint Barbara. The version we know today was adapted by the Brothers Grimm from Friedrich Schulz's 'Rapunzel' published in 1790.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Rapunzel?

The story suggests that love and resilience can triumph over isolation and suffering. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of making desperate bargains and the pain caused by overprotective control.

Why was Rapunzel locked in a tower?

Mother Gothel locked Rapunzel away to keep her hidden from the world and maintain total control over her. She treated Rapunzel as a possession she had acquired from the girl's parents in exchange for stolen garden greens.

What does the name Rapunzel mean?

Rapunzel is the name of a specific type of salad green or herb, often identified as rampion. In the story, the mother's intense craving for this plant is what leads to the father's theft and the subsequent bargain.

How did the prince find Rapunzel in the desert?

After wandering blindly for years, the prince was drawn to the sound of Rapunzel's beautiful singing voice. He followed the sound until he found her living in the wasteland with their twin children.

What happened to Rapunzel's parents?

The original Brothers Grimm story does not revisit the parents after they surrender their daughter. Their fate is left unknown, emphasizing the permanent loss caused by their desperate choice to steal from the enchantress.

How did Rapunzel's hair get so long?

Rapunzel's hair grew to an extraordinary length of seventy feet because it was never cut during her years of isolation. It served as the only means of access to the tower for both Mother Gothel and the prince.