Beauty and the Beast takes us to an enchanted world like no other in Disney’s universe, where all characters are lively, even in the form of objects. And the hero? He’s a bulky Beast! The truth is, a cruel curse has touched them, and Beauty holds the key to dispel it. Follow us as we unveil the true identities of the characters in Beauty and the Beast!
In This Article:
Beauty And The Beast – Our Childhood Cartoon
- Release date: November 22, 1991 (USA)
- Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast spins a timeless tale of enchantment, bravery, and love, brought to dazzling life by the talents of directors Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise.
Developed by Walt Disney Feature Animation and scripted by Linda Woolverton, the film whisks audiences into 18th-century France, where an unkind prince must earn true love’s kiss or remain a Beast forever. Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara) dreams beyond her small-town life, eventually finding herself in a magical castle filled with unforgettable talking objects.
Beauty And The Beast Cartoon Is Not Just About Belle And The Beast!
Belle
Belle, our heroine, is nothing like a typical village girl. Beyond her charming beauty, she’s clever and brave and dares to dream big and break free from her small town. Despite being deemed an outcast in her hometown, Belle’s free spirit and adventurous soul urge her to explore the world out there.
It’s her extraordinary thoughts that lead her to meet her destined love—the Beast—and her brave heart that accepts his eerily peculiar appearance. Although Belle first appeared in 1991, her lesson remains relatable to this day: You don’t have to be a princess to find a prince; your heart and mindset decide your value.
The Beast
Forget all the flashy, handsome heroes in Disney cartoons! The Beast in Beauty and the Beast redefines what it means to be a true gentleman. It’s not about appearance, but kindness is what matters.
Sure, he might originally appear temperamental and insecure due to his monstrous appearance. Brewing inside him is a deep-seated conflict between regret for his past selfish demeanor, fear of being cursed for life, and uncertainty of being human again. However, underneath his grotesque exterior lies a heart of gold that moves Belle. And that’s the anchor that helps him return to his human life as Prince Adam and become a true gentleman.
Gaston
If the Beast houses a humane nature inside his fearsome exterior, Gaston is the complete opposite. As the protagonist in the animated film, he harbors an evil soul inside his good-looking human appearance. Throughout the show, Gaston expresses his one-sided love for Belle, which drives him to do silly deeds like taunting the Beast for a fight.
His masculine exterior can fool Belle’s father and villagers into thinking that he’s a good man, good husband. But Belle sees others with the heart, not the eyes, so she is the only one who can see through him. In the end, Gaston is submerged by his arrogance, greed, and hothead.
Lumière
Although he is turned into a small candelabra under the curse, Lumière is downright an excellent master of the house. He is depicted as a kind-hearted, clever, and charismatic character whom the Beast often turns to for love advice.
Yet, Lumière also reveals his rebellious side with a tendency to disobey his antisocial master’s rules. His brother-and-rival relationship with Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast offers much-needed comic relief when the story takes a dark and tragic turn.
Cogsworth
Cogsworth is the clock’s name in Beauty and the Beast, who always keeps a watchful eye on other castle servants. Unlike his open-minded counterpart, Lumière, the clock appears rigid and strictly follows the rules. He also tends to boss others around so that everything goes the Beast’s way, as reflected in his trademark, “This has gone far enough! I’m in charge here!”.
Despite his pompous and controlling manner, Cogsworth’s loyalty shines through the series. His master’s benefits and feelings are always his top priorities, and he could do anything to please the Beast.
Maurice
Humble, loving, and unconventional, it’s Maurice from Beauty and the Beast—Belle’s papa. As an eccentric inventor, villagers refer to him as the “crazy old Maurice.” But he seems to be carefree about those tidbits, stays harmless, and only focuses on what he’s doing.
Above all, Maurice’s unconditional love and support for his little daughter is undeniable. Whenever he senses any threats or insults to Belle, Maurice is ready to fight off, and he usually exclaims, “My daughter, odd? Where would you get an idea like that?”
Mrs. Potts
If motherhood had a form, it would be Mrs. Potts, the head housekeeper-turned-teapot in the castle. Her motherly instinct is not only towards her son, Chip, but also towards her master and guests. She is among the few who help Maurice and Belle to feel more comfortable when they first come to the castle.
Mrs. Potts also teaches the Beast to soften his gruff demeanor and become more civil to Belle. Her caring nature and soothing voice are a therapy for wounded souls.
Chip Potts
His name is pretty self-explanatory. Under the wicked spell, Chip Potts transforms into a teacup with a noticeable chip on the rim. Like any other 7-year-old boy, Mrs. Potts’ son is adventurous and curious about the world.
The friendly boy quickly befriends Belle and later rescues her and her father from Gaston’s cellar. Of course, the Beast’s short-tempered nature still scares him away. But after all, a kid is just a kid. Chip couldn’t hide his over-the-top imagination and overreaction, which adds a touch of humor to the story.
LeFou
LeFou means “the fool” in French, and he doesn’t stray far from his dumbness throughout the show. He is Gaston’s stupid yet loyal sidekick, who strives to do anything to make Belle marry Gaston. No matter how the boastful hunter mistreats, abuses, or ignores him, LeFou seems to take it for granted.
His obsession with the antagonist is so insane that he keeps praising his ego with the song “Gaston.” LeFou isn’t wicked at heart; it’s just that he’s easily led and blindly follows Gaston’s commands.
Feather Duster/Babette/Fifi
Regardless of what you call her, the fact that Fifi the Feather Duster is a graceful, flirtatious lady stays true. Even in the form of a duster, she remains charming with rosy lips and blue eyes.
The once-maid character is Lumière’s girlfriend, so we usually spot her teasing and playing with the candelabra. However, her enormous interest in Lumière also causes trouble since she misunderstands Belle for being his new girlfriend and expresses her jealousy.
The Wardrobe
Besides Lumière, the Wardrobe also brings much comic relief to the story with her upbeat, optimistic, and cheerful personality. She looks royal in her lavish white-and-green exterior with gold accents. However, it’s her sweet voice that steals our hearts. No wonder she was a talented opera singer before being trapped in the form of a wardrobe.
As the story unfolds, her insecurity becomes more apparent behind her joyful demeanor. The Wardrobe’s deep-seated fear is that she can’t sing opera again and becomes useless.
Sultan/Footstool
Without uttering a word, Sultan really knows how to brighten up the scene with his adorable, cheerful vibe. Though he has turned into a footstool because of the curse, he doesn’t sacrifice his canine nature.
It’s easy to catch him wagging his “tail” (which is now a tassel), bouncing around, panting, and barking merrily. The way Sultan shows his emotions visually adds charm and a light-hearted note to the show.
The Triplets/The Bimbettes
The Bimbettes are the triplets named Laurette, Paulette, and Claudette. This trio looks almost identical, sporting blond hair, save for their outfits, which come in amber, green, and red, respectively.
They are real fans of Gaston, endlessly swooning over his rugged good looks. The triplets can’t figure out why Belle turns down Gaston’s proposal and think she must be crazy. They’re basically typical mean-girl types, right?
These Names Might Also Ring A Bell
- Monsieur D’Arque: The grim asylum keeper who assists Gaston in trying to have Maurice declared insane.
- The Enchantress: The mysterious sorceress who curses the handsome prince and other castle servants, initiating the story’s central conflict.
- Fife: A piccolo-turned-servant in The Enchanted Christmas, loyal to Forte and often caught in moral dilemmas.
- The Baker: A village merchant who sells bread and briefly interacts with Belle in the opening scene.
- The Bookseller: A kind man who encourages Belle’s love for reading and allows her to borrow books.
- Phillipe: Belle and Maurice’s loyal horse, instrumental in leading Belle to the Beast’s castle.
- Chef Bouche: The castle’s passionate head chef, transformed into a large stove by the Enchantress’s curse.
- Palanquin: A walking carriage-like servant seen in expanded media and adaptations.
- Coat Rack: A silent enchanted servant who helps Belle and Maurice, transformed into a coatrack.
- Le Plume: A feathered castle servant character with limited screen time, sometimes appearing in musical or expanded works.
- Egg Man: A minor villager seen carrying or selling eggs, typically part of village background scenes.
