I suspect that both this speech and the little introduction The Beast gave Beauty on the night she arrived are both very, very rehearsed. He's probably been pacing and practicing all day.
Part of the reason he's so didactic and rehearsed at this point comes from the source material (I'm quoting Beaumont here, for brevity):
"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."
I'm interpreting that "dullness" here more as a plainness or directness of speech. He's not trying to be especially clever or witty in his conversation, but he's certainly not stupid.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was all rehearsed - but not in a bad way. He knows that he's forced Beauty /way/ out of her comfort zone and has caused harm to her family and her. As such, he wants to put her at ease in any way he can. He's probably had a speech like this prepared for years, going over it to cover every possible worry his female prisoner might have.
He'll take care of whatever she needs. She can go wherever she wishes, so long as she doesn't leave his territory completely. He won't /touch/ her (dodging that bullet right away) or ask her to do anything (dodging more bullets). The dinner condition, while it would also provide him with some company, is probably also a condition of the curse/contract (dire things will happen if it's not kept, the same as if Beauty had refused to come here; would one of them become lethally ill if these conditions are broken, perhaps?), hence why he's laying it out here.
The note that he can't lie is also interesting. This lends some evidence towards my fae theory, since, as far as I know, the fae don't ever lie, per se. They can say things in such a way that people make assumptions or draw false conclusions from their words, but they can't outright lie. This could be another condition of the curse/contract as well, though. By not being able to lie, the Beast can't hide his true nature (ahem) - or rather, he can conceal information, but he can't make himself look better (or worse?) than he is through deception.
As for him wanting Beauty to be honest with him - well, I can understand why he'd want that. The two of them have had a rocky start to their relationship, and he naturally wants it to improve. He wants a companion who is open with him, not...well, someone who would hurt him instead, or be hurt by keeping things to herself. Her little "yessir" implies an inequality between them, power-wise, but obviously it's going to be that way, at least for now. Or at least it will appear that way - I strongly suspect that ultimately, the Beast will be at the mercy of Beauty's desires, as opposed to the other way around.
This is still quite early in their relationship, of course. The rules are only just being established. I wrote and rewrote the dialogue for this scene more times than I can recall trying to hit the major points -- not just to reassure Beauty, but to lay the ground rules out for everyone to see.
Although The Beast has a number of reasons for preferring Beauty be honest, a part of it is that he doesn't want to be pitied or humoured -- he'd rather deal with her open hatred than concealed disgust.
I really, really enjoy your comments, by the way! You've got some amazing theories that I will neither confirm nor deny...because that might require ME to lie! *wicked grin*
Ugh I would hate that, just hate it! Beauty speaks up & lashes out with genuine concerns & beast replies in a cool collected manner.
How dare he! Doesn't he know he is the villain & she is the innocent? Way to turn the tables!
I just HATE it when that happens to me, cause she is totally going to feel like a goof now or at least I would ;p
In drawing this, Beauty has become less self-possesed than she was in the script. She's kind of guileless now, and it makes her seems a bit younger than I originally intended...
Steered here by a link from cattservant at Datachasers; thanks, cat!
This is lovely. The atmosphere invoked is very like what I got when reading the story as a child: austere and suspenseful, but with a sense of immense wonders. Looking forward to the rest of your interpretation.
Thank you so much! I was worried it was a little to austere, now that folks are used to a disnified sort of magic. I'm happy to hear it works for you! I'll have to thank cattservant (that guy is mysterious!)
My comments now are going to be less dense than my original ones, so you must excuse me for that. Anyway...yeah, Beauty, this is probably the best possible outcome, since breaking magical oaths never results in good things. Dis-empowerment or death tends to occur when those get broken.
Providing for one's needs...I'm tempted to write some silly ficlet about potentially awkward things Beauty might need. But anyway, yes, he's not going to be atrocious to you, Beauty, and he can't lie about his intentions either. So...already you're avoiding so many dark paths this premise could take you. One day you will really appreciate that, I'm sure.
I MIGHT. Though if I did, it would probably be very silly and not at all canon-compliant. I also think there would be some "Utena" references. XD
As for the dark paths - frankly, I'm glad you didn't go there. I sense there are dark enough turns awaiting us, and I just - I really like this version of the Beast. He seems very gentle and considerate, and I think it would have been wrong to make him seem anymore threatening than when he was just lurking in the shadows. Plus, even though this is a serious retelling of the story, it's still...family friendly, thus far. I'm not sure you want to violate that...wholesomeness? You know what I mean.
Oh my god, he would be! Someday, I'd love to learn what those darker takes were (I have a fondness for dark stories). I love learning about alternate story ideas like that.
Upon rereading this, the line "You may roam the halls and grounds during the day with no fear" sounded ominous, like something else might be lurking in the castle. But now I realize he thinks that her main fear is *him*. There's truth in that, surely, but it seems that at this point it's not so much him she's afraid of, but what he might be capable of.
(And she needs to work on being honest with herself too...)
"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."
I'm interpreting that "dullness" here more as a plainness or directness of speech. He's not trying to be especially clever or witty in his conversation, but he's certainly not stupid.
One might think that Beast
Is precariously balanced
On that precise edge
Between Really Real
And Really Unreal...*
*(I love the thinking complexities of your venerable yet freshly told tale.
Thank you so much!)
(and thank you so very much. I'm deeply touched by your comment. I hope I can live up to everyone's expectations!)
He'll take care of whatever she needs. She can go wherever she wishes, so long as she doesn't leave his territory completely. He won't /touch/ her (dodging that bullet right away) or ask her to do anything (dodging more bullets). The dinner condition, while it would also provide him with some company, is probably also a condition of the curse/contract (dire things will happen if it's not kept, the same as if Beauty had refused to come here; would one of them become lethally ill if these conditions are broken, perhaps?), hence why he's laying it out here.
The note that he can't lie is also interesting. This lends some evidence towards my fae theory, since, as far as I know, the fae don't ever lie, per se. They can say things in such a way that people make assumptions or draw false conclusions from their words, but they can't outright lie. This could be another condition of the curse/contract as well, though. By not being able to lie, the Beast can't hide his true nature (ahem) - or rather, he can conceal information, but he can't make himself look better (or worse?) than he is through deception.
As for him wanting Beauty to be honest with him - well, I can understand why he'd want that. The two of them have had a rocky start to their relationship, and he naturally wants it to improve. He wants a companion who is open with him, not...well, someone who would hurt him instead, or be hurt by keeping things to herself. Her little "yessir" implies an inequality between them, power-wise, but obviously it's going to be that way, at least for now. Or at least it will appear that way - I strongly suspect that ultimately, the Beast will be at the mercy of Beauty's desires, as opposed to the other way around.
Although The Beast has a number of reasons for preferring Beauty be honest, a part of it is that he doesn't want to be pitied or humoured -- he'd rather deal with her open hatred than concealed disgust.
I really, really enjoy your comments, by the way! You've got some amazing theories that I will neither confirm nor deny...because that might require ME to lie! *wicked grin*
How dare he! Doesn't he know he is the villain & she is the innocent? Way to turn the tables!
I just HATE it when that happens to me, cause she is totally going to feel like a goof now or at least I would ;p
This is lovely. The atmosphere invoked is very like what I got when reading the story as a child: austere and suspenseful, but with a sense of immense wonders. Looking forward to the rest of your interpretation.
I really want to hear his explanation.
Providing for one's needs...I'm tempted to write some silly ficlet about potentially awkward things Beauty might need. But anyway, yes, he's not going to be atrocious to you, Beauty, and he can't lie about his intentions either. So...already you're avoiding so many dark paths this premise could take you. One day you will really appreciate that, I'm sure.
Also, are you telling me you're gonna write me fanfiction? :D
As for the dark paths - frankly, I'm glad you didn't go there. I sense there are dark enough turns awaiting us, and I just - I really like this version of the Beast. He seems very gentle and considerate, and I think it would have been wrong to make him seem anymore threatening than when he was just lurking in the shadows. Plus, even though this is a serious retelling of the story, it's still...family friendly, thus far. I'm not sure you want to violate that...wholesomeness? You know what I mean.
...The Beast is the rose bride, isn't he?