History Main / MaidAndMaiden

The Maiden is more central to the story than The Maid. She may be TheIngenue, a PrincessClassic, or a [[TheDeterminator stubborn]] PluckyGirl. Basically a [[TheHero Female Hero]] appropriate for the time and place and audience. [[DoubleStandard As such,]] expect [[TheChick her]] to be in a [[SmittenTeenageGirl romantic plot.]]

It's an old archetype because in those days a woman going anywhere on her own is going to either a) have sex or b) be raped. The presence of a chaperone was intended to discourage the former and prevent the latter.

It's an old archetype because in those days a woman going anywhere on her own is going to either a) have sex or b) be raped. The presence of a chaperone was intended to prevent the latter and discourage the former.

If the Maiden's mother is also prominent, she'll usually be younger than the Maid and complete a ThreeFacesOfEve ensemble with the other two.

It's an old archetype because in those days a woman going anywhere on her own is going to either a) have sex or b) be raped. The presence of a chaperon was intended to prevent the latter and discourage the former.

Most common in romantic plays and musicals but the dynamic turns up in other mediums and genres too so they don't always have to be involved in a love story. If the characters sing, The [[VoiceTypes Maid is either Mezzo or Alto, The Maiden is a Soprano.]] See also MatronChaperone.

Either because [[OldMaid she's old,]] [[InformedAttractiveness less attractive]], or her own romances (if any) are [[BetaCouple less important]], she's [[HollywoodHomely less desirable to the target audience.]] Has a tendency to be fatter than The Maiden also. But that doesn't mean she can't be a fan favorite.

** Most Romeo and Juliet retellings, such as ''Theatre/WestSideStory'', will have this dynamic also.

[[AC:Literature]]

* ''ThePrincessDiaries'': Mia as the young princess-in-training and her grandmother the Queen who is overseeing it.

* StrawberryShakeSweet has Julia, the plucky TeenIdol, and Saeki, her manager. Saeki acts as a kind of surrogate mother to orphaned Julia, but she's also constantly blocking Julia's advances towards her kôhai [[GirlsLove Ran]].

** The Maid's name is Bess in ''{{Film/The Adventures Of Robin Hood}}''. She's a likely inspiration for the character in ''TheCourtJester'' example above.

* The princess in ''TheCourtJester'' has an older maid/companion, who is a hypnotist.

* Elderly, wise Wynne from ''Videogame/DragonAge'' is this to the Warden. She frequently dispenses advice on life and love, and provides a forum for the Warden to brood about TheChainsOfCommanding.

* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', [[{{Ojou}} Jessica]] often talks about her love life and other woes to her servant and friend Shannon, who has a boyfriend (Jessica's own cousin George) while she doesn't. She is also the only one to know that Jessica loves Kanon, another servant, which her parents certainly wouldn't approve of. Played with a little in that Shannon is only more [[FakeBoobs filled out]] [[GagBoobs in certain places,]] and though she's around the same age and not unattractive she CantHaveSexEver.

Either because [[OldMaid she's old,]] [[InformedAttractiveness less attractive]], or her own romances (if any) are [[BetaCouple less important]], she's [[HollywoodHomely less desirable to the target audience.]] Has a tendency to be [[BigBeautifulWoman fa]][[FatGirl tt]][[HollywoodPudgy er]] than The Maiden also. But that doesn't mean she can't be a [[CoolOldLady fan favorite.]]

* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', [[{{Ojou}} Jessica]] often talks about her love life and other woes to her servant and friend Shannon, who has a boyfriend (Jessica's own cousin George) while she doesn't. She is also the only one to know that Jessica loves Kanon, another servant, which her parents certainly wouldn't approve of. Played with a little in that Shannon is only more [[FakeBoobs filled out]] [[GagBoobs in certain places,]] and though she's around the same age and not unattractive she CantHaveSexEver.

** Most Romeo andJ uliet retellings, such as ''Theatre/WestSideStory'', will have this dynamic also.

* In CodeGeass, when Nunnally returns to Britannia, they stick an overbearing, anal Maid, Miss Alicia Romeyer, on her, as a combination of MatronChaperone and ThePoliticalOfficer.

* ThePrincessDiaries: Mia as the young princess-in-training and her grandmother the Queen who is overseeing it.

** In Disney's ''{{Disney/Robin Hood}}'', Maid Marian's maidservant is a chicken named "Klucky".

** Most RomeoAndJuliet retellings, such as WestSideStory, will have this dynamic also.

The Maid will be the Maiden's confidante, [[ParentalSubstitute sometimes a caretaker]], [[MaidenAunt older relative]] or [[InterGenerationalFriendship just a good friend.]] If it is indeed a romance, The Maid will be the matchmaker, occasionally playing SecretKeeper if its a [[StarCrossedLovers forbidden love.]] Alternatively The Maid will be a MatroneChaperone warning about the perils of rushing a relationship or blocking the male love interest.

The Maid will be the Maiden's confidante, [[ParentalSubstitute sometimes a caretaker]], [[MaidenAunt older relative]] or [[InterGenerationalFriendship just a good friend.]] If it is indeed a romance, The Maid will be the matchmaker, occasionally playing SecretKeeper if its a [[StarCrossedLovers forbidden love.]] Alternatively The Maid will be OlderAndWiser, warning The Maiden about the perils of rushing a relationship or blocking the male love interest.

* In CodeGeass, when Nunnally returns to Britannia, they stick an overbearing, anal Maid, Miss Romeyer, on her.

Most common in romantic plays and musicals but the dynamic turns up in other mediums and genres too so they don't always have to be involved in a love story. If the characters sing, The [[VoiceTypes Maid is either Mezzo or Alto, The Maiden is a Soprano.]]

** ''disney/{{Pocahontas}}'': Grandmother Willow is the Maid to Pocahontas, The Maiden. Willow's a spirit that helps everyone who comes her way, but does try to steer Pocahontas from her intended in favor of John Smith.

* ''theatre/TheMerchantOfVenice'': Nerissa is the Maid to Portia's maiden. They both even go undercover together as men and keep the same dynamic. Nerissa is also officially Portia's waiting maid.

* ''SailorMoon'' has [[CatsAreMagic Luna]], who was Usagi's guardian even way back during the Silver Millennium. Now, she also acts as advisor, much to Usagi's constant dismay.

** SleepingBeauty kicked off the Disney universe with a bit of a subversion. Aurora was the Maiden, but the role of The Maid was split between [[PowerTrio three fairies]] [[ChromaticArrangement Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.]] Future examples play it much straighter.
** {{Cinderella}}: The Fairy Godmother is the Maid who helps Cinderella, The Maiden. She's OlderAndWiser, rounder, and by way of being a MagicalGuardian is 'in the service' of Cinderella. The Fairy Godmother also gives her a sweet ride to the Ball behind the Evil Stepmothers back, and the iconic dress and shoes that entice PrinceCharming.
** BeautyAndTheBeast: Mrs. Potts is the Maid to Belle the Maiden. She plays matchmaker in to break the curse. Technically she's actually Beast's servant, but gives Belle motherly support at the castle.
** {{Pocahontas}}: Grandmother Willow is the Maid to Pocahontas, The Maiden. Willow's a spirit that helps everyone who comes her way, but does try to steer Pocahontas from her intended in favor of John Smith.
** ThePrincessAndTheFrog: Grandma Odie is the Maid who helps Tiana The Maiden. She tries to get her together with Naveen as soon as they meet, and even marries them at the end. Despite being a [[EccentricMentor little crazy,]] her role is a mix of the previous three Maids, being a helper to everyone in her realm like Willow, a matchmaker that breaks a curse like Potts, and a magical old lady that teaches tricks and gives gear like the Fairy Godmother.

* ''ShakespeareInLove'': Paralleling ''RomeoAndJuliet'', Nurse is a confidante and SecretKeeper for her mistress, Viola.

* In ''[[Discworld/WyrdSisters Wyrd Sisters]]'' and ''[[Discworld/WitchesAbroad Witches Abroad,]]'' Magrat Garlick in the Maiden while Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg split the role of Maid. In the latter, this is subverted with Lilith, who acts the role of Maid to Ella but is actually exploiting her for her own ends.

* RomeoAndJuliet: TropeCodifier, The Nurse is the Maid who plays SecretKeeper for Juliet the Maiden as she tries to get with Romeo.

* TheMerchantOfVenice: Nerissa is the Maid to Portia's maiden. They both even go undercover together as men and keep the same dynamic. Nerissa is also officially Portia's waiting maid.
* Beatrice's relationship with Hero in ''MuchAdoAboutNothing'' is somewhere between being the Maid and being a CoolBigSis. Beatrice is slightly older than Hero and has a big-sisterly relationship with her. Beatrice also gives Hero some relationship advice and tries to protect her when Hero is slandered. The big difference is that Beatrice has her own plot rather than just being a side-character in Hero's.

* TheLegendOfZelda: Fulfills the imagery with Impa as The Maid and Zelda as The Maiden. In some incarnations Impa totally fulfills the stereotype by being much older and portly and is officially Zelda's attendant. In other versions she's a NinjaMaid since the series is in the Action Adventure Genre. The romantic element if any is only hinted at here.
* Elderly, wise Wynne from ''DragonAge'' is this to the Warden. She frequently dispenses advice on life and love, and provides a forum for the Warden to brood about TheChainsOfCommanding.

* In ''UminekoNoNakuKoroNi'', [[{{Ojou}} Jessica]] often talks about her love life and other woes to her servant and friend Shannon, who has a boyfriend (Jessica's own cousin George) while she doesn't. She is also the only one to know that Jessica loves Kanon, another servant, which her parents certainly wouldn't approve of. Played with a little in that Shannon is only more [[FakeBoobs filled out]] [[GagBoobs in certain places,]] and though she's around the same age and not unattractive she CantHaveSexEver.

* Beatrice's relationship with Hero in ''MuchAdoAboutNothing'' is somewhere between being the Maid and being a CoolBigSis. Beatrice is slightly older than Hero and has a big-sisterly relationship with her. Beatrice also gives Hero some relationship advice and tries to protect her when Hero is slandered. The big difference is that Beatrice has her own plot rather that just being a side-character in Hero's.

** {{Cinderella}}: The Fairy Godmother is the Maid who helps Cinderella, The Maiden. She's OlderAndWiser, rounder, and by way of being a guardian angel is a 'servant' tied to Cinderella. The Fairy Godmother also gives her a sweet ride to the Ball behind the Evil Stepmothers back, and the iconic dress and shoes that entice PrinceCharming.

Examples