The Evil Queen from “Snow White” is one of the most iconic villains in fairy tale history. Her character embodies traits that are not only undesirable but also harmful.
Here are 15 traits of the Evil Queen that we should avoid emulating in our own lives.
1. Obsessive Vanity and Pride
“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain.” – Jane Austen. The Evil Queen’s obsession with her beauty leads her to commit heinous acts.
2. Jealousy and Envy of Others
“Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.” – Harold Coffin. Her jealousy of Snow White’s beauty drives her to extreme measures.
3. Deception and Telling Lies
“Deception is a cruel act… It often has many players on different stages that corrode the soul.” – Donna A. Favors. The Evil Queen’s use of deception to achieve her goals is a trait to avoid.
4. Manipulative and Controlling Behavior
“Manipulation, fueled with good intent, can be a blessing. But when used with ill intent, it’s a curse.” – Terry Mark. She manipulates others to do her bidding, showing a lack of integrity.
5. Cruelty and Malice Towards Others
“Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” – Prophet Muhammad. The Evil Queen’s cruelty towards Snow White and others is a clear sign of her malevolence.
6. Lack of Empathy and Compassion
“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” – Mohsin Hamid. Her inability to empathize with others makes her actions even more reprehensible.
7. Power-Hungry and Ambitious Nature
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton. The Evil Queen’s insatiable desire for power leads her down a dark path.
8. Narcissism and Self-Admiration
“Narcissism is the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one’s idealized self-image and attributes.” – Sigmund Freud. Her narcissistic tendencies are evident in her constant need for validation.
9. Vengefulness and Seeking Revenge
“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” – Mahatma Gandhi. The Evil Queen’s vengeful nature is destructive and harmful.
10. Dishonesty and Lack of Truthfulness
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” – Thomas Jefferson. Her dishonesty is a fundamental flaw in her character.
11. Selfishness and Self-Centeredness
“Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.” – Oscar Wilde. The Evil Queen’s selfish actions are driven by her own desires without regard for others.
12. Intolerance and Lack of Acceptance
“Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.” – Mahatma Gandhi. Her intolerance towards Snow White’s beauty and goodness is a significant flaw.
13. Lack of Remorse and Guilt
“Remorse is the poison of life.” – Charlotte Brontë. The Evil Queen shows no remorse for her actions, making her even more villainous.
14. Greed for Power and Wealth
“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.” – Erich Fromm. Her greed for beauty and power is insatiable.
15. Hatred and Malicious Intent
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” – Martin Luther King Jr. The Evil Queen’s hatred towards Snow White is the root of her evil actions.
The Evil Queen from “Snow White” serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of negative traits. By recognizing and avoiding these characteristics, we can strive to be better individuals and create a more compassionate and just world. As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
In the upcoming 2025 live-action adaptation of “Snow White,” the role of the Evil Queen is played by Gal Gadot.