Little Mermaid theory: Holy Poseidon, What? (Part One)

Welcome back to my secret realm beneath the surface! 

Buckle up, because we're plunging headfirst into the aquatic enigma of Triton's family tree! 

Now, I know what you're thinking: family drama under the sea? It's like a soap opera with scales. But hey, that's how we roll at the House of Adventure, where even the mermaids can't escape!

King Triton, the ocean's charismatic patriarch, apparently has a knack for embodying the fluidity of Greek sexuality. Now, some might say he effortlessly channels the vibes of Greek pansexuality; you know, that whole "love is love, no matter the form" philosophy. Much like his father, Poseidon, and his uncle Zeus. We don’t discuss Zeus the goose lover.

But hold your coconut bras, because we're not just here for Triton's charming demeanor. We're diving into the scandalous depths of Ariel's lineage. Queen Athena might be the supposed mother of all these aquatic wonders, but let's face it, only one of her children even looks like her. 

Now, let's entertain the possibility that maybe, just maybe, not all of Triton's daughters share the same fishy mama. I mean, common sense, right? I'm no marine biologist, but I can tell you, comparing Athena to her fishy offspring is like trying to find common ground between sushi and a Greek salad. 

So, grab your underwater detective gear, because this is going to be a sea-rious exploration into the uncharted waters of mermaid maternity.. Yep, I went there, and I'm not apologizing for it. 

Grab your fins, things are about to get wild beneath the waves!

Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson

First, my daring readers, let's take a stroll down the original Little Mermaid story by Hans Christian Andersen, the one that didn't have a singing crab with a Jamaican accent. Our leading lady, the Little Mermaid, is basically the Taylor Swift of the sea, head over fins in love. But to be with her human, she's got to make a deal with the sea witch. Because nothing says romance like a sketchy deal with a character straight out of a scummy sea trench.

Now, this sea witch is more like the Regina George of the ocean, with a penchant for dramatic transformations. The Little Mermaid, in a moment of questionable life choices, trades in her voice for a pair of human legs. I mean, priorities, right? But this makeover comes with a side of pain. Every step feels like dancing on shards of glass. And she's basically on a ticking clock to land her true love or turn into seafoam, not just selling her soul. Tinder would be a breeze compared to this maritime nightmare.

So, in a nutshell, Andersen crafted a tale where love comes at the cost of vocal cords, comfortable mobility, and, oh yeah, your entire existence. Because nothing screams romance like sacrificing your identity for a shot at love.

Stay tuned, folks – the drama is just getting started in this aquatic soap opera.

Greek Mythology Origins

​So, in the mythical realm of Greek shenanigans, Triton, our merman extraordinaire, is the offspring of the sea god himself, Poseidon, and the goddess Amphitrite. Poseidon stands as the god of the sea, wielding the mighty trident that commands the ebb and flow of the ocean. His influence extended beyond the watery realms, as he also held dominion over earthquakes, shaking the very foundations of the earth. Often depicted with a wild beard and a commanding presence, Poseidon was a force to be reckoned with, evoking both awe and fear among mortals and gods alike.

Amphitrite, Poseidon's wife, was characterized by grace and poise, symbolizing the serene yet powerful nature of the ocean. As the royal consort to Poseidon, she complemented his tempestuous anger with her calm authority, forming a divine duo that ruled over the vast and mysterious expanses of the underwater realm.

According to the Disney story, Triton is Poseidon's son (keeping it in the family), with Neptune being his granddad, giving him all the warm and fuzzy memories. In the stage adaptation, they threw in a curveball – Ursula, the sea witch with a flair for drama, is Triton's sister. Talk about family reunions being a real underwater soap opera.

Now, why did Triton banish Ursula, you ask? Well, turns out she had her sights set on his trident, and we're not talking about some casual borrowing. Nope, she wanted that divine rod of authority for herself, and Triton wasn't having it. Cue the banishment drama, and you've got a family squabble fit for the divine. 

And suddenly the plot of the first cartoon movie makes sense, doesn’t it?

Nereids: Water Nymphs

But wait, there's more to this watery tale. 

Continuing in the realm of Greek mythology, there are fifty sea-nymph daughters of Nereus, the old man of the sea, called the Nereids. These goddesses dwelled with their elderly father in a silvery grotto at the bottom of the Aegean Sea. They embodied the very essence of the sea's rich bounty, standing as protectors of sailors and fishermen, ready to come to the aid of those in distress.  

Now, why should we care about sea nymphs in connection to Triton's daughters? 

Remember Amphitrite? Poseidon’s queen. Triton's mother. 

She was a Nereid.

Now, isn't that intriguing?

Each Nereid individually represented various facets of the sea, be it the salty brine, sea foam, sand, rocks, waves, or currents, much like the varied mer-sisters ruling over different seas. Thetis and Amphitrite, as leaders among these sea nymphs, become the focal points of our speculation. We already know that the Nereids shared their bounty with mortals, because of legends such as Achilles.

Now, what if these Nereids, with their diverse sea connections, have a deeper connection to the Seven Seas? I'm talking about the ultimate Disney mer-ternity test here. Could these various sea nymphs be the real mamas of Triton's daughters?! 

Definitely brings a whole new meaning to the term "keep it in the family". It's a sea-rious possibility that might just make Ariel's family tree more convoluted than the Pixar theory.

Stay tuned, adventure enthusiasts, because I’m working to unravel some mysteries that make Poseidon's family gatherings look like an underwater episode of Jerry Springer.

Back soon…

- The Researcher -