Maleficent's Clothes (Motif)
Throughout the film, Maleficent's costumes reflect her emotional state and connections with others. When she is a child, Maleficent wears a garment made of furs, demonstrating her intimate connection with the natural world. After Stefan's betrayal, she trades her earth-tone dresses for dramatic capes and gowns of pure black, demonstrating her hatred for Stefan and reluctance to form relationships with others. However, when Maleficent and Aurora become close, Maleficent wears lighter-colored clothing, only reverting to her dark outfits during moments of intense emotional turmoil.
Maleficent's Wall of Thorns (Symbol)
Maleficent conjures a massive wall of thorns to keep Stefan's armies from invading the Moors and killing her. In addition to being a physical barrier, this wall represents Maleficent's heart and willingness to form relationships. After Stefan betrays her, Maleficent protects her heart with a symbolic wall, refusing to let herself be vulnerable with others. However, Aurora is curious about the wall, just as she is curious about Maleficent. Maleficent allows Aurora to pass through the wall, just as she allows herself to love the Princess. Ultimately, Aurora's love for Maleficent results in the wall's destruction.
Maleficent's Wings (Symbol)
Maleficent's wings symbolize freedom and autonomy. During her childhood, Maleficent relies on her wings, and their power allows her to become the "Protector of the Moors." Stefan betrays Maleficent by cutting off her wings, violating her bodily autonomy, and limiting her power and freedom. For Maleficent, this betrayal results in a loss of security and identity, prompting her to change from "Protector of the Moors" to a tyrant.
Stefan keeps Maleficent's wings like a trophy, symbolizing how he obtained power through violence and oppressing others. When Maleficent's relationship with Aurora heals her emotionally, her wings reattach, demonstrating her newfound power, sense of freedom, and identity.
The Spinning Wheel (Symbol)
In both the original 1959 Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, the spinning wheel represents the threats and dangers that young women face as they grow older, and the barriers that prevent many young women from deciding their own fate. The spinning wheel is a domestic symbol, used to create fabric. Yet it causes Aurora great harm, as pricking her finger on the spinning wheel incites her enchanted sleep. Despite Maleficent's attempts to revoke the curse and Stefan's attempts to destroy all spinning wheels, Aurora has no choice but to prick her finger. Thus, through the symbol of the spinning wheel, Aurora's fate is dictated by the actions of the adults in her life, just as young women are often forced into domestic or passive roles by their families and society.
"True Love" (Motif)
"True love" is a crucial motif used in various contexts throughout the film. The characters, mainly Stefan, Maleficent, and Aurora, grapple with what it means to love. Stefan and Maleficent weaponize the idea of "true love" when Stefan uses his romantic connection with Maleficent to manipulate and betray her. Maleficent uses "true love's kiss" in her curse to mock and punish Stefan.
However, Maleficent's understanding of love grows and changes through her relationship with Aurora. Maleficent experiences moments of "true love" by being playful, vulnerable, and self-sacrificial. This motif culminates when Maleficent gives Aurora "true love's kiss," apologizing for her mistakes and promising to protect Aurora.
The film itself comments on the motif of "true love" by actively questioning the limits of romantic love. Prince Phillip and Aurora experience romantic attraction, but unlike in the 1959 Sleeping Beauty, his kiss cannot break the spell. Thus, Maleficent argues that "true love" is a connection that can take many forms but is always founded on trust, forgiveness, and acceptance.
