A story from the Grimm Brothers about the robber bridegroom...one in which a bridegroom is a robber...but that's really burying the lede, because there are so many more terrible things about him. Like his inability to keep plans. And his emotional distance from his fiancee. And cannibalism. The creature this time will answer the question of [...]
The three bears, the three little pigs, and an especially deranged version of Cinderella
Threes are everywhere in folklore, and today we look at stories where they feature the most prominently: The three bears, the three little pigs, and Cinderella. The tales told and adapted for children children, the three pigs and Cinderella, are extremely bloody and unforgiving, while the one that was originally for adults - the three bears [...]
The "Tale of Tales" is a very famous, moderately deranged collection of folklore from 16th century Italy. It's by the author Giambattista Basile, a storyteller who traveled the Mediterranean region collecting stories. The collection known as "Tale of Tales" follows a similar framing narrative to "1001 Nights", with the storyteller telling the king stories in a [...]
Two really bizarre stories (even by fairy tale standards) from medieval Italy.
We have to go deeper. Well, for Shaharazade to survive, she always has to have another level of story to go to - she always has to have another layer of protection, to keep the king interested or her story might end with the rising of the sun. Luckily the king is very [...]
Wrapping up the beginning of "Arabian Nights"
The story behind the stories of "Arabian Nights" is...troubling...
The beginning of "One Thousand and One Nights" is...troubling...
A story about trolls and why you seriously never go into the dark forest.