Never take candy from a stranger. Hansel and Gretel is a story collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Some scholars argue that the Brothers Grimm heard the story from, among others, Wilhelm’s wife, Dortchen Wild. Like all stories, this one has similarities with other fairytales. According to Christine Goldberg, the use of stones and crumbs to find the way is also used in stories like “Finette Cendron” (1697) and Hop-o’-My-Thumb” (1590). Stepmothers trying to get rid of their stepchildren is also a common motive in fairytales. However, in the first version written by the Brothers Grimm there was no stepmother, but their actual mother.
This well-known fairytale has been used in many film, TV shows and games. Unlike most fairytales, this story has mostly had horror adaptations. German composer Engelbert Humperdinck created the opera Hänsel und Gretel (1893) about the fairytale. But what is the story behind the fairytale?
Linda Raedisch has theorized that the Great Famine of 1315-1317 inspired this and many similar fairytales. A lot of people died and many felt helpless. Without any hope insight, some people abandoned their children en some might even have turned to cannibalism (like the witch in the story).
Luckily, in the later versions of Grimm’s fairytale, Hansel and Gretel had a happily ever after!
Always keep believing in your fairytale!
Kim
P.S. Want to hear more of these stories? Please subscribe to my channel.
Do you know someone who would enjoy this story? Feel free to share!
Share this post