History of Beauty and the Beast in Timeline

"Beauty and the Beast" is a classic fairy tale with roots in various older stories. Originally penned by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740, it was later abridged and popularized by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756. The tale draws inspiration from the real-life Petrus Gonsalvus, as well as ancient myths like "Cupid and Psyche" and the Italian fable "The Pig King." Its enduring appeal led to its inclusion in Andrew Lang's influential "Blue Fairy Book" in 1889, solidifying its place in literary history.

1913: Publication of a Later Version

A different version of Beauty and the Beast was written between 1889 and its publication in 1913, offering a new interpretation of the classic tale.

1946: Release of Cocteau's Film Adaptation

Jean Cocteau directed a film adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, released in 1946, which drew inspiration from the life of Petrus Gonsalvus, a man with hypertrichosis.

2015: Hamburger's Analysis of Beast's Design

Hamburger, in 2015, suggested that the Beast's appearance in Jean Cocteau's 1946 film adaptation was inspired by the life of Petrus Gonsalvus.

2017: Scholarly Analysis by Tatar

In 2017, Tatar explored the recurring theme of "animal brides and grooms" in folklore globally, suggesting that the French fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast was used to prepare young girls in 18th-century France for arranged marriages.