YMMV / Swan Lake

• Alternative Character Interpretation: Odile's character can be interpreted quite a few different ways. Is she simply a Daddy's Little Villain or is she a sympathetic girl Forced into Evil by her father; is she just a pawn to trick Siegfried or does she have genuine feelings for him? Some productions even have her get redeemed and get a happy ending herself.
• Awesome Music:
  • Don't tell us you haven't heard the main theme.
  • The finale is equally awesome.
• Ensemble Dark Horse: Odile has the vaguest character out of the entire cast and is little more than a plot device, but she is one of the most famous characters regardless, particularly after a certain film made note of the role. It doesn't hurt that she has probably one of the most difficult roles ever choreographed in ballet, involving 32 fouettes in a row.
• Funny Moments: In The Royal Ballet's production, the Polish princess gives Odile a Death Glare out of jealousy after watching Siegfried pick her.
• Ho Yay: Versions where Rothbart doubles as Wolfgang, Siegfried's tutor, have him teaching the prince how to dance and court maidens. It adds intimacy to their entire relationship, especially after Rothbart reveals his villainous nature and persists in separating him from Odette, with the Paris Opera Ballet having him repeat a gesture of comfort to the prince after mortally wounding him.
• Magnificent Bastard: Von Rothbart is an Evil Sorcerer who curses Odette and other maidens to become swans, with the spell becoming permanent if he's killed before it's undone. When Prince Siegfried falls in love with Odette and swears to love her, which can break the spell if they wed, von Rothbart separates the lovers and disguises his daughter, Odile, as Odette to seduce the prince and trick him into declaring his love for her. Siegfried confronts von Rothbart at the climax, which can end in several ways, including endings where he triumphs over the prince and claims Odette as his or holds him to his promise to his daughter. Even in endings where he's beaten, von Rothbart refuses to give Odette up without a fight, and in some productions doubles as an advisor to the prince and queen, pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
• Retroactive Recognition: The main theme is now possibly better known for its use in the Universal Horror films.
• Signature Scene: The Danse des petits cygnes (Dance of the Little Swans), where four of the swan maidens dance a pas de quatre. It is known for being challenging because the dancers have to move in perfect coordination while holding each other's hands.

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