Tests, Allies, Enemies (initiation)

● After dinner, Belle runs into the West Wing of the castle. (where she was previously told not to go.)

● The Beast was watching Belle as she entered the wing, and roared at her to leave.

● Belle leaves the castle, and is surrounded by wolves again in the dark, gloomy forest.

● The Beast jumps in front of Belle and her horse before the wolves attack them and fights them off. However, the Beast receives a wound after fighting the wolves off in the forest. (test)

● (Meanwhile, while Belle stays at the Beast’s castle in the woods) Gaston runs to his men at the village and warns them that Belle had been locked in a dungeon

● Gaston’s men laughed at Gaston and mocked him, not believing the story he told them.

● Maurice, one of Gaston’s men, had continued to tell an extreme story and ignore Gaston. (Maurice’s story was eventually introduced a new idea for Gaston)

● Gaston creates a plan to send Belle’s father into an insane asylum (based on the story of meeting the Beast. He thought that if no one believed that Belle was locked in a dungeon, neither would anyone believe him about the Beast, and we would be viewed as someone who needed reassurance and guidance).

● Why? Gaston believed that Belle would marry him, to save her father and release him from the asylum. (In other words, the act was partially similar to blackmail, as Gaston would only release her father if she married Gaston.)

● Therefore, Gaston becomes a growing enemy to the Beast and Belle… (enemies)

● The Beast and Belle grow closer with each other. Belle tended the Beast’s wounds once returning back to the castle and they began to take care of one another.

● Belle eventually begins to see the Beast's kindness and compassion. (Belle took the Beast to see some birds outside and feed them. He was very gentle, and Belle noticed the Beast’s gentle personality despite his appearance).

● Mrs. Pott, Lumier, and Cogsworth continue to help Belle during her time in the castle and become close allies with her.