Intro
Most Disney movies come with a prince, especially when there is a princess as the main character. Of course, having a prince charming in your story who will sweep your princess right off her feet is great and I'd enjoy a character like this as well.
But if you would ask me what type of men I like more in books, my answer would be the more edgier type. Not the bad boy type that the princess needs to change but more more like... Doing both good and bad things. Sometimes for selfish reasons, but sometimes also to protect their loved ones.
Two examples of these are Aladdin, and Flynn from Rapunzel. Both of them steal, and lie. Maybe for different reasons, but they both grew up practically alone. I love them both, even if their motives aren't always right.
So, today, I will be analyzing not one, but two characters from two different movies, going into their morally grey personality, and hopefully, you can learn something about writing a character like this.
(We could argue these two fall under the spectrum of 'Lovable Rogues' but hey, it's Disney 😛. We all know they water down these kind of things.)
Introduction To Their Thieving Lives
The first time we see either one of our boys, they are both running from the law and being chased by guards. While Aladdin has only stolen a loaf of bread, Flynn has stolen the princesses crown for money. Both of them clearly steal for different reasons, but their character is clearly shown in only this introduction already.
Both of them are running through life, trying to survive while being wanted by the law. Flynn even has his Wanted poster. They're both quick thinkers and fast, able to stay out of the guards hands easily. We also get to see Aladdin's charismatic characters as he greats the women in town while he's on the run, them even noting he is in trouble early today. Only this comment makes it clear that this isn't the first time he got himself caught stealing something.
For Flynn it's a little different, since he is not actually the main character of his movie. But we can also see he is charismatic, and a lot more selfish. Aladdin gives his bread to two orphaned kids after stealing it for himself, Flynn abandons his partners in crime, running away with the crown to sell it for himself.
Writer's Note: Morally grey does not always mean they are acting bad, but have a heart on the inside, even though both Aladdin and Flynn have this. A morally grey character could choose to let someone die, because trying to save them could kill them, or even bring more trouble. Maybe the hero (and the reader) would be mad about it, but most of the time these morally grey characters have learned from experience. Perhaps they did once try to help someone, only to be then left behind and in trouble by this same person. They've learned the world isn't always black and white, and sometimes you need to do what is necessary to survive. Of course, I wouldn't say they should go as far as murdering people, but stealing to survive, or not helping an innocent to break out of jail could be reasons for a morally grey character.
Backstory
For both, there is a bit of backstory revealed throughout their movies and series. If you've only seen the first movie of Aladdin, you won't know much, except that he grew up on the streets and needed to take care of himself. But in the third movie, we learned a little more about his backstory. His father one day left, knowing he couldn't give Aladdin and his mother the life they wanted, and eventually becoming the King of Thieves. Like father, like son I guess? What happened to his mother we don't fully know. Perhaps there are some hints about it in the tv series. My guess is that she got sick and he was left to fend for himself after she died? It's only something the reader can interpret, and that is actually the fun of it. Those crazy theories of Disney Movies aren't all over the internet for no reason. I'm sure everyone has their theories about other books or franchises too.
About Flynn, we know a bit more, already learning about him in the actual movie. He grew up as an orphan, having absolutely nothing, and was inspired by books that were read by the caretakers: The adventures of Flinnigan Ryder. So much inspired by him that he changed his name from Eugene and became a thief. For a little boy who had nothing, these stories sounded like a great adventure. He was not only looking for riches, but clearly also wanted to have adventures like his favorite fictional character.
Technically, if you've seen the animated series of Rapunzel, it turns out that he was born a prince of the dark kingdom. Left at an orphanage because the kingdom was in danger and his own life was as well. So yeah, that adds to the tragic backstory. But since he doesn't even know that until the end of the second season, I can't really go into too much detail about it.
Writer's note: Does a morally grey character need a tragic backstory? Something fun to discuss with all of you I think! I would say... Yes and no. I don't think a character needs a full on tragic backstory that is revealed later in the story so we have to feel bad for them. But I do think there should be something that made them that way. I feel like, if a character grew up well and never had to worry about everything, it wouldn't be believable for them to have a grey view of the world. It could be a very small event that made them this way. Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
Charismatic, But Manipulative
Both boys are very charismatic, but also very manipulative in a way. They know exactly the right thing to say to turn things their way somehow.
One example for Aladdin, is how he tricked the Genie into getting him out of the cave of wonders for free. He could have used up a wish to get out of there, but he twisted it. Purposefully mocking and undermining the Genie's abilities and knowing just what to say to hit a nerve. That smirk when the Genie lashes out and instantly gets them out of the cave without it even being an official wish says he knew exactly what he was doing.
Flynn at first is also very manipulative towards Rapunzel, trying to make her go back home and give him back his satchel. First trying to make her think she is breaking her mother's heart, then taking her purposely to a pub full of thugs just to scare her and make her go back on her deal.
Technically, for both situations it is a bad thing what they are doing. They try to benefit themselves more instead of others and know exactly how to do that. Using their street smart to turn the tables completely. But is it really bad anyway? Do they hurt anyone by making this choice. Yes, Aladdin could have used his wish to get out, but it's not like he hurt the Genie by tricking him. And after all, he does promise to use his last wish to set him free.
Flynn could have simply taken Rapunzel to see the lanterns and bring her back home. But if you look from his side... She is the one who stole from him, even if he stole it before, and now she is keeping his treasure hostage unless he does what she asks of him. He might have broken into her tower, but he was ready to leave when he found out someone lived there. He was not putting her in danger. He even warned her that he was wanted in the kingdom so he couldn't really take her anywhere. Also clearly stating that trusting him would be a mistake.
Writer's Note: This is what morally grey is all about. There are things a character does that are technically bad, but are they really? Doing a bad thing could help a character survive or get out of a sticky situation sometimes. Including lying, stealing (if they really have too) or manipulating. The examples above never really hurt anyone in the long run. But of course, there are cases where someone does get hurt, and your character will have to make a choice between two bad things. Sometimes they will have to choose the better option of two bad things. I feel like a morally grey character would have far less more conflict with that then others... Or perhaps they will have a lot of conflict. As a writer, you will need to show the reader inside of their heads, or show how they feel later if they are not the main character or don't have a POV scene.
Blinded By A Better Way Of Living
Another similarity between the two of them is how they are blinded by the possible promise of a better life. Aladdin meets Jasmine, only finding out she is the princess when he is captured and thrown into the dungeon. He is already in love with her, but, she is a princess, so she'd never fall for him... That is what he thinks, at least. But he is forgetting about the fact that she was already in to him and about to kiss him before they got interrupted.
When the other prisoner tells him he knows of a cave that has enough gold to impress Jasmine, he is instantly sold. He thinks it will make a difference. Even when the tiger head tells him to touch NOTHING except the lamp, he still doesn't realize the trap he is walking into. When he meets the Genie and his first meeting with Jasmine as a Prince goes horribly wrong, Genie tries to tell him to be himself, and tell her the truth about who he really is. Sadly, the words still don't get through to him, answering that being himself is the last thing he'd want to be. He is convinced that his true self is not good and people will look down on him. Because he is simply a Streetrat. Something he doesn't want to be anymore. Even when Jasmine finds out he's the boy from the market, he comes up with an excuse, already too far in to his lies.
When he finally gets what he wanted, he goes back on his promise to free the Genie, because he knows he is nothing without him. He knows it's not real, but he doesn't want the illusion to break.
With Flynn I can see the exact same thing. He was an orphan named Eugene, and had nothing. He choose to become a thief and a wanted man. He is just as convinced that the money from the treasures he steals are really going to make him happy. As he says in the song "I have a dream" he wants to be unarrested and alone, surrounded by enormous piles of money. Weather this was just made up for the song because he was threatened we don't know, but I could imagine that being exactly what they want. As he says to Rapunzel, for a little boy who had nothing a life like that seemed great. Even his name he isn't very found of, saying "You'd be the first" when Rapunzel tells him she likes the name Eugene much better than Flynn. He is clearly trying to run away from his past life.
Writer's note: As stated in a previous blog, being blinded by something doesn't make a character bad. Imagine having lived your life in a bad way, and you get the opportunity to change it completely... What character wouldn't consider it at least. The danger is when a character becomes so fixated on the promise, that they forget about reality and the people around them. Sometimes they betray or hurt someone they actually care about. This kind of tension could keep the reader hooked, wondering if they are going to get their act together, or ruin everything.
Old Lives Catching Up And Realizing Who They Are
Both also have a scene of their old life catching up to them. Aladdin gets what he wants, and Jasmine chooses him, making him the next sultan. He gets what he wants and gets off the streets... But everyone else is mad at him. The Genie is mad for breaking his promise, Abu and Carpet have left as well, both disappointed in him. This is finally the moment Aladdin realizes that what he's been doing is wrong, and wants to set things right, but it's already too late. The lamp is stolen, his true identity is revealed and Aghrabah is completely taken over by Jafar. His selfish actions got others into a lot of danger, and he cannot save them in the moment.
Still, Aladdin realizes he messed up and goes back, ready to set things right. When Genie tells him he can't help he simply says "I'm a streetrat remember? I'll handle this." Finally knowing who he really is and becoming himself again. His manipulative nature is even what saves and the whole land. He hits Jafar's weak point and tells him he will always be second best, because the Genie is more powerful. Tricking him right into using his third wish and trapping him in the lamp. When everything is finally over, the Genie wants to make him a true prince again, but Aladdin knows he cannot keep lying.
As for Flynn, he falls in love with Rapunzel eventually and he does get his crown back from her even before she is safely home. But now he cares about Rapunzel, and wants to choose her over his treasure. Sadly, it has all been a set up. He gives the crown to the Stabington brothers, ready to move on and go back to Rapunzel, but they catch him and make it look like he is leaving and gave Rapunzel to them.
Of course, none of this is true, but it might have been what he would have done earlier before he fell in love with Rapunzel. His thieving and lying has caught up to him, and he is even about to be executed for his crimes when the guards find him. (Honestly, bit of a harsh punishment to lose your head for stealing, but that's another story). Still, he doesn't care about being caught or being killed, all he cares about is Rapunzel. He knows something is wrong and that she is in danger. After escaping from the guards, he doesn't run away like he usually does. He goes straight back to Rapunzel's tower to find her. Even willing to die for her so she can live and won't be a prisoner anymore.
Writer's Note: While both characters have redeemed themselves and actually DO get what they want in the end even after all their mistakes, this doesn't have to be the case. Sometimes a character will always be lying or be a thief. Simply saying goodbye to the other characters and going on to their next adventure would be a perfect ending as well. Maybe in the next book they will find new treasure, and reunite with their old friends, but still being a wanted outlaw. Or just starting a new life somewhere else. Options are always limitless, weather your character is the main character or not. Don't feel like they absolutely need a happy ending or need to be redeemed 100%. If that's not what you have in mind, then go off and do it your way!
Questions Of The Week
I would love to hear you guy's opinion and take on these blogs, so I decided to add something new. Feel free to answer the questions if you want too. There is no wrong answer, we can learn from each other and maybe see each other's point of view!
- Between these two characters, which one is your favorite thief?
Mine's definitely Flynn for sure. Aladdin has been a favorite in my family for years, but I still have a weakness for Flynn. - Do you think a character having experienced something bad could be a morally grey character? Any examples?:
Love to hear those, I only go from what I read and watch myself, so would love to hear you guys' opinion on this. - Any other characters you would consider an example of morally grey?
One other I can think of is Meg from Hercules since she is working with the villain and also luring Hercules into traps because she has too, but also (with her last deed of trying to find his weakness) the promise to freedom if she does it.
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