The Big Bad Wolf is an iconic figure from many fairy tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs, who represents…
The Big Bad Wolf is an iconic figure from many fairy tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs, who represents fear of the unknown, sexuality and nature. Although traditionally depicted as cruel and menacing, more recently this image has been changed through adaptations of these tales.
Though initially appearing to be about bad guys, the story contains an important moral. It teaches children not to trust strangers and avoid providing personal details without first consulting their parents first. Furthermore, this timeless tale has been used by educators for over 200 years as a lesson on making mistakes with potentially deadly results.
The Big Bad Wolf has been depicted across media, from film and television to comic books and animation. Walt Disney’s short cartoons made his depiction especially iconic; especially his animus towards the Three Little Pigs. Early interpretations featured Zeke Carl Buettner’s Big Bad Wolf as well as Gil Turner’s version.
Early Disney films depicted a wolf as an expert at deceiving his prey into thinking they were one of them, wearing disguises such as those of gypsies or beggars in order to fool them. Later films, such as Shrek series, changed this convention and depicted the wolf as misunderstood but friendly towards its prey.
Looney Tunes series featured its own variation of a humorous yet less violent wolf than those depicted by Disney, as seen in Red Riding Hoodwinked, Pigs in a Polka, etc. He frequently battled against Tweety and Sylvester during shorts like Red Riding Hoodwinked or Pigs in a Polka; sometimes joined by his sons who were cross-dressing club-hopping versions who seemed more carnivorous than himself.
Fables offers an interesting modern interpretation of Bigby Wolf; in this comic book series he lives with other fairy tale characters who have broken free of reality, acting as detective. Although still considered villainous, his actions tend to stem from either ignorance or prejudice rather than intentional malice.
The Big Bad Wolf has made several cameo appearances on Sesame Street, first as a prison guard at the end of episode 29th page and again as a policeman who attempts to arrest Katya for being late to work in Casa Bonkers episode. Additionally he features in DVD set The Complete Looney Tunes and Muppet Babies while wearing his likeness on Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit movie and reappearing at its end as part of celebration scene; additionally he can be found dressed as Santa Clause within short film A Very Merry Unauthorized Christmas Carol where he makes another cameo appearance dressed as Santa Claus.