The Dark Origin of Legends
Hansel and Gretel
Legends
Legends, myths, and fairytales tell us about the past in a sanitized and redacted storyline—a time capsule from a distant era long gone, sometimes antiquity, or the origin lost in time.
These tales always convey a hidden message — but relayed in a palatable and agreeable form, at times scary — while always disguising the true roots.
The actual narrative is often too gruesome or cruel, so the stories are altered into folk or fairytales suitable for children. And they, the children, will learn about good and evil, right and wrong, honesty and lying, good morals, and so forth.
Most tales seem innocent — bedtime stories, bonding with our kids — a safe moment before lights out and sleepytime.
But I have always been fascinated with what is, in fact, being conveyed, what is the origin, and what occurred in that remote past that was so necessary to be recorded for posterity. What are we, in effect, being told?
So here is the story of Hansel and Gretel. I will briefly highlight the legend, then discuss what occurred in those times, and finally describe what the tale tries to disclose — what actually happened.
