Disney's The Little Mermaid

Act One

A placid ocean surface, broken by a rock or two, is disturbed by the sudden entrance of Ariel, a beautiful young mermaid, who breaks through the waves, triumphantly gazing around at the world above the water. She sings of her excitement, and the feelings of home which the world above the water inspire (“The World Above”). Her reverie is broken by a distant shout, and Ariel hides behind a rock, watching as a gigantic ship sails into view. The pilot and crew are joined on deck by Eric, a royal prince dressed as a simple sailor, who speaks of his love for the sea as Grimsby, his proper British guardian, is politely seasick over the side of the ship (“Fathoms Below”). Grimsby urges Eric to abandon his sailing plans, return to land, and take up his father’s crown, while Eric ignores him, desiring to remain on the ocean, where a man can be free. To prove that he has no use for kingly treasure, he begins tossing precious metal objects to the sailors, including a fork, which ends up