The Synopsis of Rapunzel

A woman, long barren, fell pregnant and passionately desired rampion (also known as rapunzel – a type of radish) that she and her husband caould see in a nearby walled garden. The owner, an enchantress, allowed the mother the rampion, provided she could take the child when it is born.

The beautiful Rapunzel is raised by the enchantress, who keeps her in a tower after she is 12 years old, which has no door or stairs. To get to her the enchantress calls

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel,

Let down your hair to me”

Rapunzel’s lovelyl golden hair is twenty ells long, we are told. Even though confined, Rapunzel sings beautiful songs and is overheard by a passing prince. He copies the method by which the enchantress climbs into the tower and the two youngsters fall in love. When finally discovered by Dame Gothel, she cuts off all Rapunzel’s hair and banishes her to a desert far away. She then fools the prince and when he climbs up the hair the enchantress holds, she tells him mockingly he will never see Rapunzel again. In despair he leaps from the tower and loses his eyes in a thorn bush.

In misery he roams through the forest for some years surviving on fruits and berries until he finally comes to the desert where he hears his loved one singing. Seeing her blind beloved, she bursts into tears and cradling him, her tears fall on his eyes and once more he can see and delight in her beautiful golden hair and their two children.