From a young age, we're taught that fairytales are aspirational, that we should strive to become heroes and that villains are universally terrible.

According to actor Zelda Williams, this isn't true.

Earlier this week, Williams took to Twitter and compiled a lengthy thread arguing that Disney's villains were always unnecessarily vilified. She goes on to argue that they were often misunderstood and mistreated - oh, and way more stylish than the good guys.

First, Williams launched an in-depth analysis of The Little Mermaid which deems Ariel the "snobby hot rich chick" and praises Ursula - whose character was inspired by drag legend Divine - as a "harder working talented magical lady".

She also posits the long-held theory that Ursula is "unfairly treated and shunned by certain society" because she doesn't fit "particular (dumb) beauty or age standards".

Williams says:

"Ariel is a bored snob who literally sings about having everything but it not being enough. She saves a man'a life, who she then stalks & decides to 're-meet' (since he doesnt even remember what she looks like), but in order to do so, she'll needs magic, so who does she call...

"Ursula helps her in spite of Ariel's snooty royal family exiling her and her rad AF eel buds to a cave. She doesn't even make the task HARD. Like, hello, Ariel knows how to write! She signed her name! She didnt have to play illiterate as well as mute!

"Little Mermaid takeaway: snobby hot rich chicks always get their way, while the harder working talented magical ladies who don't fit particular (dumb) beauty or age standards will often be unfairly mistreated & shunned by certain society. Ursula was a BAMF, and a babe. Onwards!"

Williams then turns her attention to The Lion King, which she reads as a battle steeped in themes of monarchy, class and unionisation.

In her eyes, Scar is the leftist radical who overthrows the monarchy, creates a new democracy and brings justice to the animal kingdom.

Williams says:

"Enter Simba, another snooty royal who's told from a very young age that he owns the entire planet (which isn't unrealistic. At all.). He immediately starts annoying his smarter uncle Scar, and btw, who wouldnt be peeved at a world that's nicknamed you after a visible injury?!

"While Mufasa, who has a pride of wives but only ever talks to one by name btw, keeps indoctrinating Simba with toxic King lessons that only feed his ego, Scar tried to expand Simba's horizons, see the world! Leave his royal safety net and meet animals from all walks of life!

"And yes, Scar ended up overthrowing the monarchy, but most societies had to in order to modernize! He and the hyenas made a new democracy! It was bumpy, but when new, improved Simba returns matured by time abroad, the pride is better for it! And the burn helped new plant growth.

"Lion King takeaway: the hyenas were grossly mistreated & forced to live in horrible conditions and only Scar saw their promise and got them to unionize. He also created a whole new government while Simba was off being a stoner. PS, don't nickname people after their injuries."

It's undeniably true that Disney's villains were far more interesting and charismatic than their 'good guy' contemporaries - and, of course, more glamorous.

Who can deny the appeal of Yzma's purple feathered boa in The Emperor's New Groove? Or Ursula's trademark slick of red lippy and form-fitting LBD - which is, of course, custom-made to hug her numerous tentacles? Or the general aesthetic of Maleficent, the stylish 'villain' described by Williams as a 'fabulous fashion fairy'?

Williams says:

"I don't even know where to begin with Maleficent other than LOOK AT THIS FABULOUS FAIRY! A fashion icon with amazing dental hygeine. Yes, she overreacted to not being invited to a party, but EVERYTHING WORKED OUT FOR THE BEST IN THE END, AMIRIGHT?! Also, Dragon drag.

"Also, how's Maleficent the weirdo of Sleeping Beauty when the Prince is just walking around entering condemned properties and kissing dead chicks?! Also, fun fact, but Ravens are super intelligent and can speak better than parrots, so extra rad points to Mal."

Whether you agree or not, Williams' thread provides some serious food for thought - oh, and it encourages us to think more critically about the decidedly weird behaviour of princes.