Summary

• Belle won't be limited by societal expectations or the desires of others, showcasing her strong mind and independence.
• Belle yearns for adventure and a life beyond her small village, making her a relatable and admirable character.
• Belle is open-minded and willing to admit when she's wrong, showing her growth and compassion throughout the film.

Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most important and influential movies thanks in large part to Belle's strong character and great quotes. It is certainly one of the best animated films of all time. With a plethora of fantastic characters, an interesting story, great songs, and a strong moral lesson, there is plenty to take away from this superb movie. The story follows a young woman from a small village who agrees to live with the Beast instead of her father, who was taken by the Beast for trespassing. She and the Beast form an unlikely friendship as she also bonds with his enchanted household staff.

At the heart of the entire film is Belle. She's arguably Disney's greatest princess. She sees through the Beast's tough exterior to see his warm personality, she isn't judgmental, she's incredibly smart, and she encourages reading. Disney's groundbreaking animated Beauty and the Beast movie from 1991 has many famous lines, but Belle's remain some of the most quotable, and for good reason. She never backs down from a fight, and she knows exactly what she wants. Belle is a truly inspiring Disney character that fans will never forget and these great Belle quotes demonstrate why that's the case.

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"What Do You Know About My Dreams, Gaston?"

Belle Won't Be Told What She Wants

One of Belle's best qualities is that she won't be told what to want out of life by those around her in her secluded country life, least of all the brutish Gaston, who wishes to marry her and leave her to look after his home and children for him. Belle lets Gaston know quite frequently throughout the movie that she finds him repulsive, but the lumbering hunter is just too narrow-minded to see it, even though lines like this one couldn't make it any clearer. All of Belle's quotes aimed at Gaston are just like this one, showing her strong mind, which is really in direct contrast to what he wants. He simply cannot see past her beauty to understand that she has her own opinions and desires.

"I Want Adventure In The Great Wide Somewhere."

Belle Wants A Life Of Adventure

Another of Belle's greatest attributes is her yearning for adventure, which makes her hugely relatable and a fun character to go through a fantasy story with. She's always interested in her fantastical surroundings and wants to know more. Belle sings this line in her big opening Beauty and the Beast number about wanting more than the country life can offer her. It's a testament to her character that she doesn't come off as snobby but rather an admirable dreamer instead. She doesn't look down on those who enjoy their life in the village, but she wants something different from them.

"True That He's No Prince Charming, But There's Something In Him That I Simply Didn't See."

Belle Is Big Enough To Admit She's Been Wrong

As Belle gets to know the Beast better, giving him a second chance after a rocky start, she begins to see his softer side, and she's not so proud that she can't admit when she's been mistaken. Belle's willingness to learn and be open to new experiences is a big part of what makes her one of the all-time great Disney Princess characters, and her forgiving nature allows her to truly find the Prince Charming character that she's dreamed of meeting.

"...I Want So Much More Than They've Got Planned."

Belle Wants To Write Her Own Story

Belle is a strong character who knows what she wants, but that doesn't mean that life is kind to her. Her father may be supportive but the people around her constantly seem to want to pigeonhole her and even beat her spirits down.

And for once it might be grand to have someone understand I want so much more than they've got planned.

This quote from Belle echoes her earlier sentiment about wanting adventure. Belle sings this wistful line just before Philippe appears and leads her on her adventure to meet the Beast and save him from his curse. So perhaps the universe was listening to her plea.

"Well, Some People Use Their Imagination.”

Belle's Greatest Attribute Is Her Mind

While Belle is quite relaxed and calm with her views, not often arguing or making a scene, she does have a little sass in her when it's required, as this line showcases. With Gaston questioning how she can read a book that has no pictures, Belle provides the perfect response to silence him immediately. Gaston has such a childish view of reading books and Belle showcases why she's more sophisticated and intelligent, happily using her imagination to bring the stories to life within her books. But the reason this is so great is that it silences an otherwise arrogant Gaston. Usually, he steamrolls over her in a conversation, but this time, he can't.

"Gaston, You Are Positively Primeval."

Belle Is Never Fooled By Gaston's Charms

Another of Belle's funniest quotes comes at Gaston's expense, as she makes it clear exactly what she thinks of him. The funny part is, that Gaston doesn't even understand that this isn't a compliment, and he takes it as one, despite the fact Belle is mocking him. The quote is great because it highlights Belle's intelligence and the fact that she's smart enough to tell Gaston what she thinks about him, knowing full well that what she's going to say will go over his head.

"Well, You Should Learn To Control Your Temper!"

Belle Is Never Afraid To Tell It Like It Is

It isn't just Gaston that Belle is willing to put in his place, as she happily tells the Beast how she feels as well. Despite the fact that the Beast has a monstrous appearance that might seemingly make him scary to others, Belle is still brave enough to do it. The Beast's temper is a big problem for him earlier on in the film, and it's something he learns to control for Belle, especially after this quote. She happily informs him that he needs to control his temper and, from then on, they do have a better relationship.

"Of Course I Came Back."

Belle Is Always There For The People She Loves

At the end of the movie, the Beast is ready to give up the fight and allow Gaston to kill him, believing he has no real purpose to stay alive. That is, of course, until he sees that Belle has returned to him and wants to be with him, which forces him to pick up the fight. Even though he deals with Gaston fairly swiftly, the Beast ends up severely hurt which leads to an emotional conversation as both he and Belle believe he's dying. This is where Belle makes it clear she was always going to come back, making her feelings very clear to him. While the audience sees the feelings develop between the two easily, the Beast always thinks his appearance and his beastly behaviors will lead her to leave, no matter how king she is.

"Take Me Instead."

Belle Is Selfless

When Belle first meets the Beast, he takes her in as a prisoner in order for her to replace Maurice. It's a moment of pure kindness and sacrifice, as she isn't aware that the Beast is actually kind and sweet at that point and instead thinks he's just a monster. However, her love for her father trumps whatever pain or problems she might go through by being a prisoner in the castle. It showcases her kindness and compassion and how it trumps anything in her life, and that is something that sets Belle up as such a likable character.

"I Know He Looks Vicious, But He's Really Kind And Gentle. He's My Friend."

Belle Bravely Sticks Up For The Beast

Belle uses the magic mirror to show the villagers that the Beast is real in order to prove her father isn't crazy, but that only backfires as it makes the village want to kill the Beast. She quickly sees the problem she's caused and that brings out this fantastic Belle quote. She clearly cares for him deeply, and she tries to make that as clear as possible, telling them all about how nice and gentle he is, which might seem like the total opposite of his appearance, but Belle is someone who knows the Beast better than anyone. Belle's story is continuously one of not judging someone by their appearance, but she cannot get anyone to listen to her.

"He’s No Monster, Gaston. You Are!”

Belle Can See Who The Real Monster Is

This is certainly one of the greatest Belle quotes from the movie, and it is the point where Belle really makes it clear that Gaston is the villain of the film. While the audience is well aware that the Beast isn't some sort of monster who is trying to hurt people, Gaston and the other villagers aren't so sure. However, everyone does know that Gaston has some very mean personality traits, but people are just afraid to tell him. That's why this quote is great, as Belle isn't afraid to tell Gaston how it is, with this being the big moment that she stands up to him.

"We're Together Now. Everything's Going To Be Fine, You'll See."

Belle Has Hope Even in Hopeless Situations

Belle's hopeful attitude remains just about unbreakable even in the most hopeless situations, and it's hard not to be impressed by that facet of her personality. With this line, she comforts a dying Beast, with her voice beginning to crack slightly. Clearly, Belle doesn't fully believe what she's saying, as her optimism doesn't make her foolish enough to oversee the seriousness of the Beast's wounds, but she refuses to just give in to despair and that makes this one of the best Belle quotes.

"Please Don't Leave Me. I Love You."

Belle Finally Speaks Her True Feelings

With the Beast finally succumbing to his wounds and the final petals of the enchanted rose beginning to fall, it looks like it's all over for the pair. After a rocky road to love, Belle finally admits her true feelings for the Beast. Just when the audience thinks this is the end of their story, the power of Belle's love breaks the Beast's curse, saving his life in more ways than one and transforming him back into a human. The moment is a surprising one for everyone involved because it seemed like it would be the first time the happy ending of a Disney movie came a little too late, even though it's evident the two are falling for one another during their iconic dance earlier in the movie.

"It Is You."

Belle Loves The Beast In Both Of His Forms

This might not be a lengthy Belle quote or one that has lots of philosophical meaning, but it is the moment she realizes who the Beast is when he returns to human form. It is all about the eyes which help Belle work out who he is, and it shows that through his appearance that is what she was focusing on. His kind eyes never changed once, whether he was a Beast or a human, and that is a very warm moment. It's the point where Belle gets her big happy ending which she deserves throughout the film, making it a great moment.

"I Want Much More Than This Provincial Life."

Belle Wants The Most Out Of Life

This is a quote that Belle sings early on in the film, and it sets the tone for the entire movie and her as a character. It makes her personality very clear, as she is someone who has a real lust for life and a desire not to just be content with what she has been given. It is the best way to sum Belle up, as a character who always wants to push herself to improve her learning and grow herself. She wants adventure, and she's happy to go searching for it, which is something that makes her such an excellent character. This particular lyric is perhaps the most iconic Belle quote and was even used in promotional materials for Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast remake.

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  Beauty and the Beast

  Summary:

  This live-action remake of a classic Disney fairy tale tells the love story of two outcasts. When Belle agrees to live in a monstrous prince's enchanted castle in exchange for her father's release, she is at first wary of the Beast, but romance blooms between them.

  Release Date:

  2017-03-17

  Cast:

  Emma Watson, Ian McKellen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Dan Stevens, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Kline, Luke Evans, Josh Gad

  Director:

  Bill Condon

  Genres:

  Romance, Fantasy, Musical

  Rating:

  PG

  Writers:

  Stephen Chbosky, Evan Spiliotopoulos

  Studio:

  Walt Disney Studios

  Runtime:

  129 minutes

  Budget:

  $160–255 million

  Studio(s):

  Disney

  Distributor(s):

  Disney

  prequel(s):

  Beauty and the Beast

  Franchise(s):

  Disney