The Prince’s Blindness

The Prince’s blindness is the bodily consequence of a desperate leap and the long interval of wandering that follows his supposed loss of Rapunzel. The story makes sight both a wound and a means of reunion: thorns scratch his eyes as he falls, and Rapunzel’s tears later restore his vision when they find each other again.

Cause and Injury

After the witch tells the Prince that Rapunzel is gone forever, he is overwhelmed by grief and leaps from the top of the tower. He survives the fall, but the thorns growing where he lands scratch his eyes and leave him unable to see. The blindness thus follows a physical injury in the immediate aftermath of the witch’s deception and his despair.

Life Without Sight

Unable to see, the Prince wanders through the forest, finding only roots and berries to eat. He spends his time weeping and lamenting the loss of his beloved wife. The injury shapes not just what he can perceive but the conditions of his survival: he is reduced to foraging and grief, separated from the life he had hoped to share with Rapunzel.

Reunion and Restoration

The Prince wanders in misery for many years before reaching the wilderness where Rapunzel is struggling to survive with the twins she has borne, a boy and a girl. He hears a familiar voice and follows it toward the person singing. Rapunzel recognizes him when he comes close, embraces him, and weeps; two of her tears fall into his eyes, and his sight suddenly returns, clear as before.

Resolution

With his vision restored, the Prince returns to his kingdom with Rapunzel. Their return is followed by a great celebration, and the two live happily for many years. The story binds the restoration of sight to reunion: the years of blindness end not through treatment described in the tale, but through the encounter with Rapunzel and the tears that fall into his eyes.