We all remember the glowing contract. It was shimmering gold, written in ancient underwater legalese, and signed with a flourish that changed Disney history forever. Honestly, when we talk about Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and Ursula, we aren't just talking about a princess and a sea witch. We are talking about the ultimate clash of desires. One wants out; the other wants in. One wants legs; the other wants a throne. It’s a messy, manipulative, and strangely relatable power struggle that has kept audiences hooked since 1989.
The thing is, Ursula isn't your average "I'm evil because I want to be" villain. She’s a business mogul. A shady one, sure, but she operates on the principle of the "Body Language" sermon she gives Ariel. She sees a girl with a massive crush and a restrictive father, and she exploits that gap in the market.
The Contractual Chaos of Ariel, The Little Mermaid, and Ursula
Most people forget that Ursula didn't actually kidnap Ariel. She didn't force her into that cave. Ariel went there. She sought out the "Sea Witch." In the original Hans Christian Andersen story from 1837, the sea witch is more of a neutral, albeit terrifying, force of nature. She doesn't have a personal vendetta against the King. But Disney’s 1989 masterpiece changed the game. They gave Ursula a backstory—she was a former member of the royal court, banished and bitter.
That bit of history makes the rivalry personal.
When you look at the fine print of that contract, it’s actually a masterpiece of predatory lending. Ursula knows Ariel is sixteen. She knows Ariel is impulsive. By trading her voice for legs, Ursula isn't just taking away Ariel’s ability to speak; she’s taking away her primary tool for connection. Without that voice, Ariel is just a "pretty face," which Ursula correctly identifies as a massive disadvantage in the surface world's social hierarchy. It's dark. It's calculated. And honestly, it’s why Ursula remains the most effective villain in the Disney Renaissance era.
Why the Voice Mattered More Than the Legs
Think about the sheer risk involved here. Ariel gives up her literal identity. In the world of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and Ursula, the voice is everything. It’s the "siren song" that Prince Eric is obsessed with. By removing it, Ursula ensures that even if Ariel succeeds in getting the Prince to notice her, there will always be a piece of the puzzle missing.
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Ursula’s plan is a two-pronged attack. She wants Triton’s trident, and Ariel is just the bait. But the way she goes about it—disguising herself as Vanessa and using Ariel's own voice against her—is the ultimate gaslighting move. She doesn't just want to win; she wants to humiliate.
The Cultural Impact of the "Poor Unfortunate Souls"
You can’t talk about this trio without talking about Howard Ashman and Pat Carroll. Ashman, the lyricist and creative powerhouse behind the film, envisioned Ursula as a drag queen. Specifically, she was modeled after Divine. This gave the character a sense of theatricality that most villains lacked. She wasn't just scary; she was fabulous.
- She uses makeup as a weapon.
- She understands performance.
- She manipulates through charm first, then fear.
Ariel, by contrast, is the quintessential "I Want" character. Her desire for the surface world isn't just about a guy, despite what some modern critiques might suggest. If you watch the "Part of Your World" sequence closely, she’s obsessed with human innovation—forks (dinglehoppers), pipes, books. She’s an explorer stuck in a fishbowl. Ursula recognizes that curiosity and turns it into a cage.
The 2023 Remake: A Different Dynamic?
When Melissa McCarthy and Halle Bailey took on these roles in the 2023 live-action adaptation, the relationship shifted slightly. The film explicitly mentions that Ursula is King Triton’s sister. This adds a layer of familial trauma that wasn't as explicit in the animated version.
In this version, the interaction between Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and Ursula feels more like a toxic family reunion. Ursula isn't just a random witch; she’s the aunt from hell. This change makes Ariel’s decision to trust her even more heartbreaking. She’s looking for a connection that her father won't provide, and she turns to the one relative who is more than happy to eat her for breakfast.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s a common misconception that Eric "saved" Ariel. While he does pilot the ship that impales Ursula, the battle is a culmination of Ariel’s choices. She broke the status quo. She was the one who ventured into the forbidden depths.
The climax of the film—with a giant, Kaiju-sized Ursula swirling the ocean into a whirlpool—is a literal representation of what happens when repressed ambition explodes. Ursula has been "shriveled" and "wasted" in that cave for years. When she finally gets the trident, she doesn't just take over; she becomes the storm.
It takes the combined efforts of a human and a mermaid to take her down. This is important. It suggests that neither world is sufficient on its own. The "happily ever after" isn't just about a wedding; it’s about the merging of two different cultures that Ursula tried to keep apart for her own gain.
Real-World Lessons from a Fairy Tale
If we look at this through a modern lens, the story is a cautionary tale about "gatekeepers."
Ursula is the ultimate gatekeeper. She controls the passage between the worlds. She sets the price of entry. Ariel, the young "creator" or seeker, thinks she can bypass the rules if she just works hard enough (or stays quiet enough). But the rules were rigged from the start.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are revisiting the story of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and Ursula, or if you're writing about it, keep these points in mind:
- Focus on the Agency: Ariel makes the deal. Ursula provides the opportunity. Neither is a passive participant in their fate. When analyzing the story, look at how many times Ariel has the chance to turn back and why she chooses to go forward.
- The Power of the Voice: Consider how the loss of voice mirrors real-world silencing. When someone loses their "voice" in a negotiation or a relationship, they are at the mercy of the person who holds the contract.
- The Design Language: Notice the color palettes. Ariel is green and red (complementary colors), symbolizing life and vibrancy. Ursula is purple, black, and gold, symbolizing royalty, death, and greed. The visual storytelling tells you more than the dialogue ever could.
- The Source Material: Read the original Hans Christian Andersen ending. It’s brutal. Ariel doesn't get the guy; she turns into sea foam. Understanding the dark roots of the story makes you appreciate the 1989 version’s focus on rebellion and father-daughter reconciliation much more.
The dynamic between these characters isn't just a "good vs. evil" trope. It’s a study in ambition. Ariel wants a new life; Ursula wants her old life back. They are two sides of the same coin, both feeling restricted by the ocean they live in. The difference is that one seeks to expand her world, while the other seeks to dominate it.
To truly understand the legacy of this film, look at the "Poor Unfortunate Souls" who still find themselves making "deals" in their everyday lives. We all have something we're willing to trade for a dream. The trick is making sure you don't lose your voice in the process.
To get the most out of your next rewatch, pay close attention to the background of Ursula's lair. Those little shriveled "polyps" aren't just background art; they are the physical manifestations of every failed contract. They are a warning that Ariel ignores, and they serve as a grim reminder that in any deal with a sea witch, the house always wins—unless you're willing to sink the whole ship.