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Ursula is the main antagonist of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (1989). A cunning, theatrical, and manipulative sea witch, Ursula is one of the most iconic villains in Disney history. With her larger-than-life personality, dark magical abilities, and unforgettable musical number, she stands as a powerful symbol of temptation and deception.
Appearance[]
Ursula is based visually on the drag queen Divine, giving her a flamboyant and commanding presence. She is a cecaelia—a humanoid with the tentacles of an octopus instead of legs. Her skin is lavender, and her tentacles are black with purple undersides. Her short white hair, heavy makeup, and wide smile contribute to her theatrical and villainous look.
She wears a magical nautilus shell necklace, which stores Ariel’s voice and serves as a focus for her powers.
Personality[]
Ursula is bold, confident, sly, and seductive in her manipulation. She enjoys playing the role of a “benevolent” helper to the desperate, offering magical deals through the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” However, her help always comes with a high price—typically binding contracts that are nearly impossible to fulfill.
Despite her villainy, she has a charismatic, almost comical flair, which makes her a fan favorite. She’s fiercely intelligent and quick-witted, often outsmarting others with ease.
Background and role in the film[]
Ursula resides in the depths of the ocean in a lair made from the remains of shipwrecks and sea creatures. Once a member of King Triton’s royal court—possibly even related to him in some interpretations—she was banished due to her dark magic and dangerous ambitions. Bitter and vengeful, she plots to overthrow Triton and rule the sea herself.
Her opportunity arises when Ariel, the youngest daughter of Triton, dreams of living among humans. Ursula tricks Ariel into a magical contract: she will transform her into a human for three days in exchange for her voice. If Ariel cannot secure a “true love’s kiss” from Prince Eric within that time, she will belong to Ursula forever.
Ursula’s plan escalates when she sabotages Ariel’s efforts and later transforms herself into Vanessa, a beautiful human woman, using Ariel’s voice to enchant Prince Eric. Her ultimate goal is to manipulate Triton into trading himself for Ariel’s freedom—giving Ursula the trident and power over the seas. After this her size becomes colossal.
She is defeated when Ariel and Eric fight back, and Eric impales her with a ship, causing her to explode in a violent whirlpool of her own dark magic.
Powers and Abilities[]
Ursula is one of the most powerful sea witches in the Disney universe, wielding formidable magic rooted in oceanic forces, spiritual manipulation, and dark sorcery. Her abilities extend far beyond simple spells, making her a deadly adversary and a master of deception. Below is a breakdown of her most notable powers:
Thalassokinesis
Ursula possesses thalassokinesis, the supernatural ability to control and manipulate the ocean and its waters. This includes summoning massive whirlpools, generating tidal waves, and bending the currents to her will. When wielding King Triton’s trident, this power grows exponentially, granting her near-omnipotence over the sea.
The Nautilus Shell Necklace
Ursula's enchanted nautilus shell necklace is a magical conduit that allows her to steal and store voices, most famously Ariel’s. It also functions as a spellcasting focus, enhancing her powers and allowing her to disguise herself as Vanessa, a beautiful human woman. When the necklace is destroyed, Ariel’s voice is released, indicating the necklace is essential for her more complex enchantments.
Atmokinesis
Ursula can control the weather, especially during moments of heightened emotion or power. She summons storms, lightning, and dark clouds to create chaos and fear, particularly during her climactic transformation and battle. This ability ties directly into her dominion over the sea and natural elements.
Aquapathy (Telepathic Link to Sea Creatures)[]
Though not overtly explored, Ursula demonstrates a form of aquapathy—a telepathic or empathic link to sea creatures. She communicates effortlessly with her eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, commanding them without verbal instructions, implying a psychic or magical connection.
Magic Potions and Spellcraft[]
Ursula is a master alchemist and witch, using magical potions brewed from sea flora and fauna, bones, and mystical ingredients. These potions allow her to:
- Transform merfolk into polyps
- Brew body-altering concoctions (like Ariel’s transformation into a human)
- Create binding contracts
- Craft glamours and disguises
Her spellcasting often involves dramatic ritual and incantation, rooted in deep, ancient sea magic.
Transfiguration[]
One of Ursula’s signature abilities is transfiguration—the power to radically alter forms. She changes Ariel from mermaid to human, transforms herself into Vanessa, and manipulates her own size and appearance at will. This ability is integral to her trickery and deception.
High Intelligence[]
Ursula is highly intelligent, cunning, and strategic. She understands emotional manipulation, royal politics, and the vulnerabilities of those around her. Her intelligence makes her far more dangerous than a typical brute-force villain.
Manipulation, Charisma & Intimidation[]
Ursula excels in psychological manipulation, using her charisma and seductive voice to convince others to accept dangerous deals. Her performance in “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is a masterclass in persuasion and deceit. When charm fails, she quickly turns to intimidation, showcasing a terrifying presence enhanced by her voice, size, and magical aura.
Shapeshifting[]
She can shapeshift at will, notably into the human form Vanessa, using Ariel’s stolen voice to enchant Prince Eric. This ability allows her to infiltrate human society undetected, using beauty and illusion to ensnare her victims.
Condemnation of Merfolk (Polyps)[]
One of her darkest powers is the ability to transform merfolk into condemned polyps—twisted, shriveled versions of their former selves. These helpless victims line the pathway to her lair, serving as a horrifying warning to others. This power is usually the result of unfulfilled contracts, turning victims into eternal reminders of her cruelty and power.
Gigantification[]
In the film’s climax, Ursula uses the trident to undergo gigantification, transforming into a colossal sea witch who towers over ships and creates maelstroms with a gesture. This transformation makes her a physical force of nature—unstoppable, terrifying, and divine.