When Disney first began adapting fairytales, they were animated in a very straightforward manner, where most characters were either good or bad and there were few shades of gray. Stepmothers were villains and kings and princes were the heroes. However, people don't really work like that. They're a bit more intricate.
Therefore, here's a list of 10 Disney parental figures who aren't as wholesome as they seem, or as Disney would prefer them to be. People are complicated, and these parental figures are neither solely good or evil, but just people who can do both good and bad at once.
Mother Gothel - Tangled
Mother Gothel is Rapenzul's mother for most of her life up to the beginning of the film. Gothel did raise Rapenzul fairly well: she taught her to read and map out the stars, as well as a variety of life skills that serve Rapenzul well over the course of her adventure. See frying pans and their uses.
However, underneath all that, Gothel is solely using Rapenzul for her hair and the power it gives her. Despite the skills she's given Rapenzul, Gothel gaslights her at every opportunity. Gothel is abusive in a realistic way that can be hard to catch on the first watch. Therefore, her duality earns her a place on this list.
Agnarr of Arendelle - Frozen
The King of Arendelle does his best to be a good father. He had to grow up quickly after losing his own father at a young age, and he clearly loves his daughters. However, he is put in an impossible situation with Elsa and her powers where his ultimate solution is so clearly the wrong one that we all wonder what happened.
When he and Iduna come into the ballroom at the beginning of the first film, his first question is to ask Elsa what she's done, automatically assuming whatever happened is her fault. Though he adores his daughters, his decision to isolate Elsa from everyone and everything and teach her a mantra to hide her emotions is definitely perplexing.
Mrs. Anderson - Inside Out
Mrs. Anderson is dealing with a stressful move and a husband who's busy with his new job. She does her best to reassure Riley that everything will be okay, but you can tell that she has her own doubts and concerns.
In that sense, she is a realistic parent. She realizes that Riley doesn't feel at home yet, and tries to fix it by suggesting exploring their new city. However, she doesn't understand just how upset Riley is and doesn't comprehend the possibility that she would run away to get back to Minnesota until it happens. However, parents aren't omniscient. Mrs. Anderson is doing her best in a stressful situation, and she's there for Riley in a way her dad isn't - at least, until the end of the movie.
The Great Prince of the Forest - Bambi
The Great Prince of the Forest is mostly absent in Bambi's life. When Bambi first sees him the young fawn doesn't even realize that the Great Prince is his father. However, one of the film's themes centers around spring and the growth of new life, and that includes that young are raised by their mothers, It's only when Bambi becomes separated from his mother that the Great Prince first steps up to help.
It's clear that the Great Prince has responsibilities to the forest and the animals who live there, and there's a clear division between mothers and their young, and the absent fathers. However, Bambi's father does assist him when necessary and proves to be a good role model.
Helen Parr - The Incredibles
Helen Parr, like Mrs. Anderson, is dealing with a hectic life. Her husband is keeping secrets from her about the new jobs he's taken on, and she's trying to figure out what exactly he's doing. To be safe, she's also keeping secrets from her three children. This is, of course, for their own protection, and when the Incredibles' superhero suits are eventually revealed to the kids, mayhem occurs.
So, Helen is realistic as a parent; she's stressed and worried about the events happening around her, but still manages to be a great mom despite her fear and occasional mistakes.
Stefan - Sleeping Beauty
In the original Sleeping Beauty, King Stefan is put into a situation that proves too much for him, similarly to King Agnarr. However, instead of keeping Aurora close to home, Stefan decides to send her away with the fairies after Maleficent's curse.
The idea that your child would be safe when they're away from you - especially when you're the absolute ruler of all the surrounding land - feels fairly misguided. However, with magic involved, Stefan and Leah thought they were doing the right thing. They're doing their best, but their methods also deprive Aurora of her parents for years and cause her confusion when she is eventually returned to them.
Elinor - Brave
Queen Elinor is dealing with a daughter who is the opposite of herself. Though she and Merida got along when Merida was young, now that she's older everything is more difficult than it should be. Along with not wanting to learn to be a lady, Merida is also interested in getting her own way in regards to her marriage prospects, which is to say, not marrying at all.
Elinor tries to put a brave face on things, but eventually the pair fight, leading Merida to try to fix things through magic. Their journey shows Merida and Elinor how to be more flexible in regards to their relationship. Elinor is real as a parent because she does her best despite challenges, and learns from her mistakes.
Geppetto - Pinnochio
Geppetto is a woodworker who wishes for his wooden creation to become a real boy so he'll have a son. Though his wish is granted by the Blue Fairy, he doesn't start off as the greatest father. He immediately sends Pinnochio off to school without feeling the need to acclimate Pinnochio to the world or get used to living with a son.
Ultimately, it is Pinnochio who must end up saving him from the whale Monstro. Granted, Pinnochio is an episodic adventure film, so Geppetto isn't meant to be completely realistic, but he does have some errors in judgment.
Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather - Sleeping Beauty
Though we discussed King Stefan above, the three fairies do a passable job of raising Aurora. Much of her goodness is due to the fairy gifts from her christening. Throughout the film, the fairies have a hard time deciding on certain inconsequential aspects of Aurora's life, such as the color of her dress.
It's hard to fathom, with this much random disagreement, what her upbringing must have been like, and the possibilities honestly aren't that pretty. Aurora is therefore lucky to have all the fairy blessings! Her caregivers are lovely and mean well, but they have a few odd moments.
Kerchak - Tarzan
After losing his own child many years ago, Kerchak is unable to come to terms with Tarzan making a place for himself in his family. As Tarzan grows up, Kerchak continually demeans him, saying he'll never be one of them however hard he tries. However, Kerchak does eventually come to understand how valuable Tarzan is to their family, and repents his former opinion. He does eventually accept Tarzan as his adoptive son.
Kerchak's conflicted feelings brought about by grief, cause understandable resentment that persists for the majority of Tarzan's childhood. However, Kerchak eventually learns to grow and change.