Beauty and the Beast story guide

Prologue  |  ACT I  |  ACT II

Scene 1: A Ballroom
Several months have passed and the Beast has asked Belle to marry him every evening. She still refuses but has grown used to his ugliness and now sees only his good heart. The Beast holds a ball which is attended by all the inhabitants of the castle. The same curse that turned the Prince into a beast has changed them into animals. Again the Beast asks Belle to marry him but she replies that although he is good and kind hearted, she does not love him and, therefore, cannot marry him.

Back in her bedroom, Belle longs to see her father. The Beast agrees to let her go and gives her a rose. He tells her she must return before the rose dies or he too will die of a broken heart.

Scene 2: The Merchant’s House
Belle arrives home to find wedding preparations are underway for Monsieur Cochon and one of Belle’s sisters. Cochon has still not decided which of them he wants to marry!

Scene 3: The Beast’s Castle
At the castle the Beast pines for Belle. His animal friends and courtiers attempt to raise his spirits but as more time passes, he is sure that Belle will never return and he begins to die. Belle’s sisters have tricked her into staying longer than she intended. When Belle finally returns to the castle, she finds the Beast dying. She cries that she has always loved him and agrees to marry him. The Woodsman appears, the Beast’s ugliness melts away and the Prince appears in his place. As the curse is lifted, the courtiers begin to arrive – returned to human shape. As for Belle and her Prince, they live happily ever after.


DAVID BINTLEY