At first glance, theres a lot to love about Ursula. Shes got the sass and brassy voice of a cabaret compère, with the drawl and the va-va-voom of a Wild West madame: the design of the character was based on the infamous drag queen Divine. In any other character, that combination would make her the protagonists mentor or best friend. But this is the Sea Witch, she who steals the souls of unwary merfolk, and shes the terrifying yin to King Tritons virtuous yang. Part-octopus, part woman - whats called a cecaelia - Ursula is dead set on breaking Ariels heart, and shaking her confidence daily. She wants the Sea Kings daughter for her own, to join her garden of polyps, the poor unfortunate souls of the song. The reason for that becomes abundantly clear at the climax, because Ursula isnt just a malignant old sorceress, with her two evil moray eel boon companions ready to fulfill her every dark wish. No, she has aspirations to Tritons throne, and control of the seven seas. The climactic scene as she gets what she wants, the trident of the Sea King, and swiftly transforms into a gigantic, shipwrecking version of herself, is one of Disneys most horrifying moments. Our heroes face, not just the Sea Witch in her cave, but a thing out of Lovecraftian nightmare, impossibly huge against the horizon, conjuring thunderstorms above and whirlpools below.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
