Hans of the Southern Isles: Misunderstood?

[mishalak]

I finally saw Disney's latest animated movie, Frozen, last week at the cheap theater. I must say that though they texted until the opening credits started to roll the reputation of teens as relentless phone users who will ignore the comfort of other film goers was not true at least in my theater. But the question for me is something that came up afterwards. I was talking to a fellow geek who said that the character Hans of the Southern Isles was not a bad guy. Arguing that it was perfectly normal for royals to do such things and what else was he supposed to do as the 13th child except to find an heir to marry. I was dumfounded by this contention and also by the subsequent claim that Richard III probably did not kill the Princes in the Tower. So, for those of you who have seen it or are aware enough of the plot, was Hans misunderstood or a real villain? Ditto on Richard III.

Comments

[jcfiala]

Given that we're in a Disney world, Hans is a real villain.

In the real world, Hans is fine until he decides that regicide is his way to becoming king. And, y'know, if all he ever did was kill two people, that probably puts him in the upper 50 percentile for kings.

[mishalak]

You make a very good point about there being a separation between real world and Disney World. Either one.

I do not know that Hans was fine right up until he decided on assassination as a means to advancement. Best case scenario he keeps on faking being the perfect husband for the rest of his life while really loving the money/power of his position. Middle ground scenario for the real world without magic: he just offs Elsa at a later date with deniable while gaslighting Anna into doubting herself so as to be able to run the kingdom without interference. Worst case scenario: after offing both sisters and taking a second wife he is so paranoid that he runs the kingdom like a police state with informants and killing of anyone who questions his legitimacy not unlike the Tudors.

I read Hans as a sociopath. Perfect facade until you are alone with him and you are in his way.