In the Brothers Grimm tale “Rapunzel,” the prince is blinded after the witch discovers his visits.
The prince has been climbing Rapunzel’s tower using her long hair. The witch eventually learns that Rapunzel has been receiving him and cuts off Rapunzel’s hair, sending the girl away. When the prince arrives, the witch lets the severed hair down so he can climb up, then reveals that Rapunzel is gone.
The prince leaps from the tower into thorn bushes. He survives, but the thorns pierce his eyes and leave him blind. He wanders through the wilderness for years until he hears Rapunzel singing. Her tears fall on his eyes, and his sight is restored.
Many modern versions omit or soften the blinding and the pregnancy that appears in the Grimm text. Those changes can make the story seem closer to a simple rescue romance, whereas the original includes exile, physical suffering, and eventual reunion.