Maleficent and Me: Arguments

One curse. Sixteen years.

Queen of patience. Mistress of all evil.

Maleficent.

As a kid, Sleeping Beauty was my least favourite Disney movie; princess Aurora was a delicate character who needed a kiss to be saved. Yet, I watched it often only for its villain - Maleficent.

Maleficent is one of the most devious, fearless and strong-headed Disney villains.

I mean, come on! She presented Aurora with a gift of death. Why? Oh, because she wasn't invited to the princess' christening (Angelina Jolie had a different opinion). She tormented the King and Queen, who lived away from their daughter. She plotted her revenge years ahead, and took it at the right time, in the most terrifying way.

When it comes to arguments, I'm an incarnation of the pure evil, Maleficent herself. Here's how:

1. She is a self-proclaimed 'Mistress of all Evil' who thinks no one can defeat her

Definitely me. Any time I argue, I mentally pre-establish myself as the victor, and remain stubborn on my viewpoints. My rigidity gives the other person a tough time in reasoning with me.

Others? "Oh, they are hopeless - a disgrace to the forces of evil".

2. She denies feeling offended for being uninvited to Aurora's christening... right before she bestows her 'gift'

"The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, and DIE!"

Ahh, sounds familiar! Partially.

When I'm asked, "Shreya, are you mad at me?", my response is: "Oh, no, I'm not mad at all!".

The next minute, my sarcasm has no bounds, and the other person drowns in my ocean of passive aggression. (Can I say I gift my sarcasm? Hmm...

3. She altered into a beautiful (and manipulating) will-o-wisp to lead Aurora to the spindle

"Touch the spindle. Touch it I say", chanted Maleficent, as she finally lured Aurora into her deep sleep (the curse had been modified by a good fairy).

My arguments are similar; I repeat my point over and over, till I get my way. I alter my method of discourse (stay calm, listen), so I can be heard better.

Selfish? Mostly. Manipulative? Influential.

4. She tries to be 'nice' in her vice 

"Away with him - but gently, my pets", Maleficent orders her minions.

I unknowingly (and knowingly) use this technique of 'niceness' often in my arguments, in two simple ways:

1. I stay calm. Nothing pisses others off more than being composed in intense situations. The plus point? I can always say I didn't start the argument.
2. I listen more. It provides clarity and understanding, but also contradictions to make! And of course, it gets me time to rethink my cases simultaneously.

5. She rejoices too early upon catching Prince Philip

I have a tendency of celebrating too soon, which makes me slack. This is my weak-point in arguments. If I correctly prove one statement in my debate, or convince the other person, my happiness and pride are sky-high. Distracted, I start blabbering.

(This particular thing extends to everything I do. Take my writing for example - my last article was a month ago. I sat back after uploading it, and fell behind on my work. Simply put, I'm lazy.)

"I set a trap for a peasant and I catch a prince!". Too early to laugh, honey. The prince freed himself.

6. She transforms into a fierce fire-breathing dragon to beat Prince Philip

When my temper heats up, my tongue lights a fire. My words become harsh, my voice grows louder and I attack other's statements than substantiate my own. This situation may look powerful, but it isn't.

And just like Maleficent got killed in this rage of hers, my opinion tends to get killed in this rage of mine.

Very Maleficent, eh?

Are you?