Ursula's father is Poseidon, particularly as depicted in the ABC television series Once Upon a Time. In this interpretation, Poseidon, the mighty god of the sea, is the direct parent of Merrin Dungey's portrayal of the sea witch Ursula.
Diverse Depictions of Ursula's Parentage
The lineage of Ursula, the infamous sea witch, varies across different media and adaptations, reflecting creative choices made by various storytellers. While her role as a powerful antagonist remains consistent, her family ties, especially to a father, are not uniformly portrayed. The concept of Ursula having Poseidon as a father was notably absent from Disney's original 1989 animated film, The Little Mermaid, but was later integrated into the Broadway musical adaptation.
Here's a breakdown of how Ursula's father is depicted in different popular adaptations:
| Adaptation | Ursula's Father | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Once Upon a Time (TV Series) | Poseidon | Poseidon is explicitly identified as Ursula's biological father. |
| Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989) | Unspecified | Her parentage is not explored; she is portrayed as King Triton's estranged sister, making her Ariel's aunt. |
| The Little Mermaid (Broadway Musical) | Poseidon | The musical reintroduces the concept of Poseidon as Ursula's father, aligning her more directly with the mythological lineage of sea deities. |
Poseidon: The God of the Sea
In Greek mythology, Poseidon is one of the twelve Olympian deities, revered as the god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses. He is a powerful and often tempestuous deity, wielding his trident to command the ocean's vast forces. His character, as a ruler of the undersea world, provides a compelling background for a character like Ursula, offering a rich mythological context for her powers and origins when she is portrayed as his offspring. This connection lends a sense of divine heritage and inherent power to Ursula, even in her villainous role.
