"Once upon a time there was a man and wife who had long wished for a child. Finally the woman was filled with hope and expected God would grant her wish..." ( Lewis 1996:72), The beginning of Rapunzel starts like most fairy tales, a queen wanting a child and a king who is willing to do anything to keep his queen happy. This can also be seen in Sleeping Beauty.

"My wife saw your lettuce out of our window and felt such craving that she had to have some, or die." And so the witch's anger began to cool and she said, "If that is so, I will allow you to take as much lettuce as you want on one condition: You must give me the child your wife brings into the world..." (Lewis 1996:73). Only to have an old, ugly women come along and make some ridiculous request such as this. Then the man is torn between his two choices as both of them would make his wife happy.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair" (Lewis 1996:73). As with most fairy tales their is a common catch phrase that is continually repeated throughout the story.

"When she was twelve years old, the witch locked her up in a tower that stood in the forest and had neither stair not door, only way at the top there was a little window..." (Lewis 1996:73) Along with the common catch phrase the damsel is put in a situation that seems almost impossible to get out of.

"He took her to his kingdom, where he was received with joy, and they lived happily ever after and cheerfully for many years to come." (Lewis 1996:76). Finally Rapunzel finishes with the traditional happy ending with the handsome prince in her arms. A fairy tale is not complete without a happy ending, that is what makes it a fairy tale.

Most fairy tales exhibit the same features as I just briefly pointed out, however Rapunzel is slightly different. Not only does the handsome prince save her, but she also saves him as well by crying her tears which allowed the prince to regain his eye sight after falling out of the tower onto thorns.