As a huge fan of Disney’s strong female characters, I must say that Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” is nothing short of amazing! While Ariel might be the protagonist, it’s Ursula who truly steals the show. She’s a shrewd businesswoman, always one step ahead, and her legal prowess is unmatched in the Disney universe. And let’s not forget her knack for understanding human nature – talk about a power move!
It’s not hard to see why some people question Disney’s depiction of strong women when you consider the eerie backstories in certain princess movies and the stereotypical portrayals of women, such as wicked queens and damsels in distress. However, if you delve deeper into Disney’s library, you’ll find numerous instances of empowered female characters.
In Disney’s realm, there are enchanting heroines and robust female characters, such as Luisa Madrigal (played by Jessica Darrow) from “Encanto.” Although it might be intriguing to imagine them overpowering the world’s Gastons in an arm-wrestling competition or vanquishing every villain with potent sorcery, true strength lies within their inner resilience and determination. This is particularly noteworthy when combined with compassion and empathy. They stand up for the silenced, confront their own apprehensions, and demonstrate this kind of strength, making them admirable figures worthy of respect. This is why they are included in this list.
Merida from Brave
Among all the spirited Disney princesses, Merida, played by Kelly Macdonald, from the movie “Brave,” stands out as an exceptionally resilient character. She is the first Disney-Pixar princess and a true tomboy, displaying remarkable athleticism and possessing a wild, yet admirable spirit. Despite her mother’s, portrayed by Emma Thompson, attempts to transform her into a traditional Disney princess, Merida prefers galloping on her horse, scaling cliffs, or exploring the Scottish highlands while practicing archery.
When Merida’s deep longing to escape an arranged marriage leads her kin to transform into bears, she takes extraordinary measures to safeguard them, sometimes exposing herself to danger. Throughout this adventure, her hair always maintains a stunning appearance.
Megara from Hercules
In a world full of very demure, very mindful Disney princesses, “Hercules” antagonist Megara (Susan Egan) sold her soul to Hades (James Woods) in order to save a lover who would turn around and drop her. But a deal’s a deal, so after Hades forces Meg to turn femme fatale and find Hercules’ (Roger Bart) weakness, it’s nice to see her get a redemption arc when she sacrifices herself — her second sacrifice to save a guy if you’re counting — on behalf of Hercules. As a woman who is literally enslaved for eternity thanks to one bad decision, to still have a sense of humor and the heart to save someone else cements Meg as one of the emotionally strongest women in all Disney canon.
Te Fiti from Moana
In Disney’s film featuring Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho), it’s understandable that she usually receives the accolades for her adventures, given that anyone embarking on a grand voyage to safeguard their people deserves recognition. However, there’s another crucial character: Te Fiti, who is a benevolent deity with an extraordinary power. According to Gramma Tala (Rachel House), Te Fiti’s heart contained the most powerful force ever known – a power capable of generating all life forms themselves.
When Maui (Dwayne Johnson) carelessly takes Te Fiti’s power, she loses her kindness and morphs into the fiery creature Te Kā, symbolizing someone trapped in sorrow and agony. However, upon receiving Moana’s compassion, love, and healing, Te Fiti is reborn to her purest form – a strong representation of the powerful bond that women share for supporting each other through hardships.
Nani Pelekai from Lilo & Stitch
Navigating teenage parenthood is already challenging, but when you’re raising a precocious younger sibling while both of you are grappling with the loss of your parents, it demands extraordinary resilience. That’s why Nani from “Lilo and Stitch” stands as one of the most formidable women in Disney’s universe.
In a phase of her life when most kids her age are engaged in typical teenage activities, Nani dedicates herself wholeheartedly to her job as a single mother and the sole provider for Lilo (Daveigh Chase). She is utterly devoted to providing Lilo with the best life she can, even after everything they’ve experienced together. This devotion comes at the cost of her own relationships and personal interests, all in the pursuit of ensuring her little sister’s well-being.
Nala from The Lion King
In the tale of “The Lion King,” Simba, our main character, comes back to reclaim his throne from Scar, restoring his position as ruler over all that the sun illuminates. However, it’s important to note that none of this would have been possible without Nala, the true heart of the story. She provides Simba with the motivation he needs to straighten up and take control.
As Simba relaxes with friends Timon and Pumbaa, enjoying a carefree lifestyle, Nala grows up under the oppressive reign of Simba’s ruthless and treacherous uncle Scar. This is just the beginning of Scar’s cruelty, as shown in an unreleased storyboard for the song “Be Prepared” that was considered too dark for children. Despite her suffering, Nala holds on to her inner fortitude and identity. When they reconnect, Nala remains resolute in her dedication to her people, eventually spurring Simba out of his lazy ways and back to Pride Rock where he truly belongs.
Tiana from The Princess and the Frog
In “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana, played by Anika Noni Rose, is not the only diligent Disney princess, but she is the first one who worked tirelessly at two jobs within the food service industry. Her ambition was to make her late father’s dream of transforming an old sugar mill into a gumbo house come true, a place where people could enjoy her unique culinary creation.
Tiana consistently displays resilience and strength during difficult situations, be it confronting unscrupulous real estate agents or rescuing Prince Naveen in the swamp. Unlike some who might relax after marrying royalty, Tiana refuses to live an easy life. Instead, she incorporates her husband into her own business ventures, turning a pampered prince into a dedicated restaurant owner.
Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
In a captivating role as Esmeralda, the Romani dancer portrayed by Demi Moore in “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” stands out among the most beautiful characters in the Disney universe. Her graceful dance routines and enchanting stage performances are not to be underestimated. Moreover, her streetwise intelligence could challenge Aladdin’s agility. However, it is Esmeralda’s unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes – a cause she is prepared to fight for, even risking being nearly burned at the stake – that cements her place as one of the most powerful female characters in Disney animated history.
Regardless of the danger she faced due to her marginalized status, Esmeralda bravely defended Quasimodo (Tom Hulce) when the hostile crowd attacked him during the Festival of Fools. Additionally, she wasn’t shy about challenging authority, openly criticizing Minister of Justice Frollo (Tony Jay), calling him a fool, and even spitting in his face as she prepared for her impending execution.
Ursula from The Little Mermaid
There’s a strong argument that Ursula, rather than being seen as a hero, deserves recognition for her shrewd dealings reminiscent of powerful figures on Wall Street or Capital Hill in the story of “The Little Mermaid.” Unlike Ariel (Jodi Benson), who impulsively leaves behind her family and loved ones for an unknown man, Ursula, banished as a witch, takes it upon herself to tackle challenges that others avoid.
While some may claim that Ursula operates under questionable business tactics, everything she does is clearly outlined in the fine print of a legally binding contract, as demonstrated by King Triton’s (Kenneth Mars) attempt to nullify Ariel’s agreement on one occasion. Granted, Ursula employs magic, but her real strength lies in her expertise – both in legal maneuvers and understanding human nature. It’s just that no one seems to take the time to thoroughly read the details.
Miss Eglantine Price from Bedknobs and Broomsticks
In our collection, the sole live-action character hails from the 1971 musical “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” titled “Miss Eglantine Price.” As a budding witch and self-taught scholar, Miss Price persists in honing her skills through correspondence courses. Remarkably, she intends to apply her newly-acquired abilities to drive the Nazis from her town, undeterred by a far-off global conflict.
Miss Price embodies progressive values and advocacy admirably. She can be seen as a free-spirited individual, given her dedication to vegetarianism and refusal to give names to animals. However, she demonstrates that she is more than just an advocate of peace when she takes in three war orphans and subsequently leads a powerful, magic-enhanced resistance against the occupying Nazi forces, with the children by her side.
Fa Mulan from Mulan
Although Mulan isn’t the initial Disney heroine to challenge the patriarchy, her approach sets her apart: Rather than fighting against them, she chooses to fight alongside them. Distinguished as one of the boldest women in Disney’s cinematic universe, Mulan is an unyielding character who overcomes assaults on her identity by transforming herself into a fearsome warrior, sacrificing for her father and the people she cherishes.
In the story, when the Imperial army demands Mulan’s elderly father (Soon-Tek Oh) for a war against the Huns, she bravely cuts her hair, disguising herself as a soldier to take her father’s place. However, Mulan’s courage and personal development don’t end there – using her own clever ideas, she overcomes every obstacle that comes her way. By the film’s conclusion, Mulan proves herself as a peer among the other warriors on and off the battlefield. There’s nothing that can hold this woman back, and we admire her for it.
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2024-09-29 21:00