Who is Prince Eric

In Hans Christian Andersen's original story of The Little Mermaid, the prince isn't a likable character. Although he's fond of the little mermaid, he treats her like a pet. He has her sleep on a pillow outside his door. He never sees (or at least never appreciates) the mermaid's love for him. Despite her beauty, grace and devotion, he gives his love to another. At one point, the prince almost seems to tease the mermaid with his affections:

"Do you not love me the best of them all?" the eyes of the little mermaid seemed to say, when he took her in his arms, and kissed her fair forehead.

"Yes, you are dear to me," said the prince; "for you have the best heart, and you are the most devoted to me; you are like a young maiden whom I once saw, but whom I shall never meet again. I was in a ship that was wrecked, and the waves cast me ashore near a holy temple, where several young maidens performed the service. The youngest of them found me on the shore, and saved my life. I saw her but twice, and she is the only one in the world whom I could love; but you are like her, and you have almost driven her image out of my mind. She belongs to the holy temple, and my good fortune has sent you to me instead of her; and we will never part."

"Ah, he knows not that it was I who saved his life," thought the little mermaid.

Disney wisely made changes to the prince. The studio gave him a name and made him a more sympathetic character. He's not just handsome: He's unpretentious and amiable. Although he assumes the mute Ariel can't be the one who saved his life, he falls in love with her anyway. When Eric nearly marries someone else, it is only because he is bewitched.

Little Mermaid by Disney
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