But, what makes the Sea Witch so special?
How has she escaped the shackles of villainy to become more of a cultural icon than a basic baddie?
And yes, we are accounting for the ostentatious and conniving Scar (who undoubtedly takes second place).
Ursula and Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ | Disney
But what about Ursula makes her so special?
Ursula is unapologetically herself
Ursula can choose any appearance she desires with a little magic.
Yet, Ursula chooses to rock eight octopus tentacles and hyper-expressive makeup akin to the late drag queen Divine.
One need not be thin to prove power.
Shes simply trying to bargain her way to what she desires.
She makes a deal with Ariel: her voice for a pair of legs.
The scroll in ‘The Little Mermaid’ | Disney
She watches Ariel sign a contract, and Ariel knows what shes getting into.
As far as legality is concerned, Ursula is in the right.
As far as evil plots, its not very ruthless, nor is it unfair.
How many villains approach their scheming from such a righteous (too strong a word?)
Triton (her brother) banished her after some maniacal misbehaving with black magic.
He should have found a way to punish her while following through on his fathers wishes.
Its poised and playful.
Its got everything you could want in a Disney tune.
Poor Unfortunate Souls places Ursula in a position of power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi58pN8W3hY&t=94s
We all have a little bit of darkness in us.
A little bit of pettiness.
A little desire for revenge.
Being the hero all the time gets old.
Its only a matter of time until the good guy loses to the sneak.
Ursula lives in the real world, where gray reins supreme and black-and-white morality is for fairytales.
