Maleficent Essay Questions

How does Stefan's desire for power begin a cycle of violence?

At the film's beginning, Stefan resents his impoverished situation and states his desire to live in the palace. He works his way up the ranks until King Henry, his predecessor, proclaims that anyone who can defeat Maleficent will become heir to the throne. Rather than warn Maleficent about King Henry's intentions, Stefan uses the opportunity to gain the throne, cutting off Maleficent's wings to trick King Herny into believing she is dead. Maleficent's wings are the source of her identity and power; thus, Stefan's betrayal leaves her resentful and lost. To get justice for herself, Maleficent punishes Stefan by cursing his daughter, Aurora, adding more people to their feud. Stefan reacts by sending armies to kill Maleficent; ultimately, in his hatred, he accidentally kills himself rather than resolve the cycle of violence.

How does the film use lighting and color to characterize Maleficent?

At the film's beginning, Maleficent is clothed in earth-tone outfits and lit by bright, natural light. She uses healing magic, represented by shimmering golden light. These visual choices demonstrate her innocence and connection with nature. By contrast, when Maleficent seeks revenge on Stefan, she wears midnight black clothing, wields acid-green magic, and is often lit by dramatic lighting. These character choices reference the 1959 film Sleeping Beauty's visual language and demonstrate Maleficent's emotional state. As Aurora and Maleficent grow closer, Maleficent trades her dark outfits for lighter gowns of copper and gold, symbolizing her character growth. Still, when Maleficent experiences inner turmoil, like when she tries to tell Aurora the truth about the curse, she reverts to her dark clothing.

What do Maleficent's wall of thorns and King Stefan's iron thorns represent?

After placing the curse on Aurora, Maleficent conjures a massive wall of thorns to protect herself from King Stefan's army. Since Stefan manipulated Maleficent's love for him, Maleficent associates loving others with being vulnerable to physical and emotional harm. Thus, she closes herself off to relationships with others, hiding in the Moors. The wall represents her emotional barriers.

By contrast, King Stefan's wall of thorns was constructed of iron and meant to harm Maleficent rather than protect himself. Like Maleficent, King Stefan distances himself from his loved ones; his focus on getting revenge leads him to miss the queen's death, and he sends Aurora away for sixteen years to "protect" her. The iron wall of thorns represents how King Stefan's unwillingness to forgive Maleficent made him incapable of authentic love.

How is Aurora's curse symbolically significant?

Maleficent cursed the infant Aurora to punish Stefan. In her curse, Maleficent uses many symbolic references to her relationship with Stefan to punish and mock him. For example, Stefan gave Maleficent "true love's kiss" on her sixteenth birthday; thus, Maleficent stipulates that the curse will occur on Aurora's sixteenth birthday. Stefan drugged Maleficent into a deep sleep to cut off her wings, and therefore Maleficent curses Aurora to fall into an enchanted sleep "like death." Lastly, Maleficent amends her curse to be breakable by "true love's kiss." Stefan gave Maleficent what he called "true love's kiss" before unforgivably betraying her; thus, Maleficent and Stefan both believe true love isn't real, making the curse ostensibly unbreakable and symbolically loaded.

According to the film, what is true love?

The film Maleficent explores the beauty and limitations of human connection. The narrative portrays true love as a bond beyond romantic or familial love; rather, true love is a connection based on trust, understanding, and the willingness to forgive and grow.

At the film's beginning, Maleficent, used to trusting the creatures of the Moors, mistakes Stefan's friendship and romantic interest for "true love." The film suggests that true love is selfless and sacrificial. Though Stefan initially risks his safety to see Maleficent in the Moors, he ultimately abandons and betrays her for personal gain.

Maleficent and Aurora's dynamic exemplifies the self-sacrificial, forgiving true love relationship. Maleficent is not Aurora's mother; in fact, she hates Aurora's father so much she curses the child to get revenge. However, Maleficent develops a genuine affection for Aurora as she discovers who Aurora is; Maleficent is not duty-bound to protect Aurora but does so anyway.

The ending of Maleficent expands on the concept of true love, presenting true love not as an emotion but as an act of redemption and hope. Maleficent's commitment to saving Aurora, despite her belief that the curse cannot be broken and the knowledge King Stefan will likely kill her, is the greatest manifestation of true love.