In part of “Cassandra Appreciation Month”, let’s go in-depth on discussing of Cass’ empathy and love of animals.
For most people around her, Cassandra is the kind of person that shows off her action skills, sassy sense of humor, and displays a very cold attitude. One of Cass’ friends even sometimes call her “The Dragon Lady”. However, there’s also a softer side within Cassandra that tells there’s more in her than meets the eye. Let’s dive into them, shall we?
Empathy - The ability to fully understand, share, and experience what another person is feeling. For Cassandra, she expresses that so extraordinary well. There are two episodes that I want to highlight as an example.
In “Beginnings”, we see Cassandra being so annoyed with Rapunzel’s upbeat behavior in trying to be friends. Cass tells the princess that she has no interest in being buddies with someone who’s super cheery all the time. But when Rapunzel says that she never had real experience in how to make friends, that’s when Cass completely gets it from that feeling. Even though they come from different backgrounds, both can relate on the similarities when it comes to in making friends. And it is from those similar feelings is what’ll ultimately start that wonderful friendship between Cassandra and Rapunzel.
And in “Great Exportations”, Cass tells Varian on how hard it is in trying to impress her father because of that very high standard. Varian express that same kind of feeling when it comes to in making his own dad proud too. Cass response with a smile in being so grateful to know that she can empathize with someone that also has father issues just like her. And much like in how her empathy played a key role in becoming friends with Rapunzel, it also establishes a really nice relationship with Varian.
I feel like because of her strong sense of empathy, it has helped with Cassandra in making some friends. It displays some of her most heartfelt moments throughout the series in which in her mind means so much to know that she doesn’t feel alone when it comes to understanding one’s life problem just like herself.
Love of animals - It’s a huge fact that a lot of people((including myself)) have a great love for animals, and Cass herself is definitely no exception within that majority group. But why does she love them always fascinates me.
Before meeting Rapunzel, Cassandra has never made one single human friend. A lot of it surely has to do with the lifestyle that she had from her father. But just because Cass wasn’t a highly social person growing up doesn’t stop her in showing some type of love.
I imagine while growing up, her fondness for animals is what started in building up her gentle side such as sympathy, being helpful, and act in a very kindly manner. It even helped creating a couple friendships with them as seen with Owl and Fidella.
Going back to “Beginnings” again, it shows one of my favorite examples that displays her great care for them. A rat appears in one of the castle hallways and everyone reacts to what any normal person would do when they see one. But not Cassandra, she picks the rat up and brings it to the open window while also giving it a treat as a departing gift. Helping that rat gave her a moment on being her sensitive self since she was a very private person.
I believe one of the reasons into why Cass loves animals so much other than just liking them in general is that it allows her to be her sweet self. A side of that character in which before the events of the series have she never showed to anyone((maybe except for the Captain)). But as her character grows throughout the show, Cass seems more open to show her friends that she’s an animal lover. It really brings that wonderful heart in her to manifest.💖
And also, seeing Cassandra interacting with animals can be so adorable to watch! Whatever it is with those kittens or this puppy she held one time, Cass can look so cute with any of them! 🥰
And that’ll do it for me here. I have one more appreciation month post that I really want to do as I’ll be talking about why I love Cassandra! See you then!
baratheonpilled
jacobvanloon
theartofmadeline
janainaart
germansingergirl
