The Beast is the male protagonist of Disney's 1991 animated feature film, Beauty and the Beast. A prince by birth, he was cursed by a mysterious Enchantress as punishment for his selfish and cruel nature. Only by loving another and earning their love in return can the Beast free himself and those affected by the spell before time runs out. As the film is based on the traditional fairy tale of the same name, the Beast is based on the corresponding character from that fairy tale.