Ursula (also known as the Sea Witch) is the main antagonist of Disney's 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid. After being banished from Atlantica by her longstanding rival, King Triton, a scorned Ursula vowed to exact vengeance by harnessing the power of the king's trident and installing herself as ruler of all the ocean. To accomplish her goals, Ursula strikes deals with unfortunate merfolk that will (supposedly) make their dreams come true, but are covertly designed to advance Ursula's own ambitions. Princess Ariel, being one such merfolk, trades her voice to Ursula in exchange for human legs. Should Ariel fail to uphold her end of the deal by winning the love of Prince Eric, she will be bound to Ursula, and thusly used as a bargaining chip for Triton's crown. Modeled after drag queens and theatrical personalities of the like, Ursula's fervent confidence and flamboyance have made her one of the most popular and influential of all the Disney Villains. She remains one of the franchise's primary members in the years following her debut.
