History NightmareFuel / AFrozenHeart

* It's implied the queen wants her sons to stop hurting each other, but after years of living with her tyrannical spouse, who encourages the behavior, she can barely acknowledge Hans with weak smiles. The king even mocks Hans's status as a MommasBoy, stating that "she'll be the only one who would have even noticed that [he] were missing." Also, after Hans is hit in the head with an object, Rudi and Runo tease him, asking if he's going to "run to Mommy" so that she can "kiss his boo-boo to make it all better."

** Given that he and his brothers don't get along as he is seen as the king's favorite son, [[ParanoiaFuel who's to say]] Caleb's legitimacy will be challenged by one of his brothers once he becomes king, possibly triggering [[TheCoup a putsch]], or even worse, a CivilWar? Plus, he's also seen as an immature RoyalBrat who doesn't take his duties [[TheSlacker seriously]], as Lars and Hans know he'll be a sloppy and incompetent king.

** Given that he and his brothers don't get along as he is seen as the king's favorite son, [[ParanoiaFuel who's to say]] Caleb's legitimacy will be challenged by one of his brothers once he becomes king, possibly triggering a civil war? Plus, he's also seen as an immature RoyalBrat who doesn't take his duties [[TheSlacker seriously]], as Lars and Hans know he'll be a woefully incompetent ruler once he becomes king.

* Hans is ridiculed by his father and brothers for [[ARealManIsAKiller his unwillingness to murder people]]. But having had enough of their abuse, Hans decides that if he wants to earn their respect, then he'll have to accept whatever tasks he gets, even if it involves violence against their subjects. Fast forward three years later, [[ItGetsEasier he's shown to be desensitized,]] having no qualms murdering Elsa or Anna in a bid to take over Arendelle. As with Hans, it's implied his older brothers didn't start out as mean jerks, but the king raised them to be ruthless, and they now have no problems hurting others or using questionable means to get their father's respect. But because of the SocialDarwinist behavior constantly espoused by the king, the 13 brothers do not get along with each other and the Westergaard clan becomes totally [[DysfunctionalFamily dysfunctional]].

* At the end of the novel, Hans is shown panicking when the guards drag him to be deported home without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be spared and not wanting to return to the hellhole he came from in the first place, aware [[FateWorseThanDeath what punishment]] his family will dish out on him when they get wind of his actions. As shown in ''WesternAnimation/FrozenFever'', he's now in a worse situation than before, as his father condemned him to hard labor, and part of it involves shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his current condition back home, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment compared to the lively atmosphere in Arendelle, with the royal stables alone looking dark and uninviting.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] lording over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how his father [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers the countless times he tried negotiating with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled. Also, when Hans feels hesitant to use violence, he remembers his brothers gloating about how good they felt killing their enemies and fantasizes being ridiculed for [[ARealManIsAKiller "not having the guts to do anything."]]

** God help those that are behind on their taxes — [[EvilDebtCollector they're collected forcibly]]. Even Hans is unnerved while giving a detailed account of the tax collection he conducted to the king.
* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] lording over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how his father [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers the countless times he tried negotiating with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled. Also, when Hans feels hesitant to use violence, he remembers his brothers gloating about how good they felt killing their enemies.

* The king's BigFancyCastle. Generally mistaken for a giant, black SeaMonster by outsiders, most people think it is beautiful and jaw-dropping, but Hans sees every ''nook and cranny'' of his home as an ugly prison, with his father and brothers as corrupt jail wardens.
* At the end of the novel, Hans is shown panicking when the guards drag him to be deported home without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be spared and not wanting to return to the hellhole he came from in the first place, aware [[FateWorseThanDeath what punishment]] his family will dish out on him when they get wind of his actions. As shown in "WesternAnimation/FrozenFever", he's now in a worse situation than before, as his father condemned him to hard labor, and part of it involves shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his current condition back home, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment compared to the lively atmosphere in Arendelle, with the royal stables alone looking dark and uninviting.

** At one point, Hans is sent to reluctantly [[DeadlyEuphemism "talk"]] to a peasant who insulted the king, and it's implied violence was involved.

* At the end of the novel, Hans is shown panicking when the guards drag him to be deported home without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be spared and not wanting to return to the hellhole he came from in the first place, aware [[FateWorseThanDeath what punishment]] his family will dish out on him when they get wind of his actions. As shown in ''Disney/FrozenFever'', he's now in a worse situation than before, as his father condemned him to hard labor, and part of it involves shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his current condition back home, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment compared to the lively atmosphere in Arendelle, with the royal stables alone looking dark and uninviting.

** The fake "ransom note" from a certain "King Gotya," who had supposedly [[FakedKidnapping "kidnapped"]] one of his brothers and would "return" him, but only if Hans ran around the ''entire castle three times in just his underwear''. He was only ''four'' years at the time.

** Hans hates attending events involving his entire family, as they always end with him being humiliated in some manner. For example, before reluctantly attending his mother's birthday, he's nervous, knowing that he'll end up being the family's laughing stock. As such, he stands outside the door for 20 minutes, and when he finally appears, his father scolds him for being late, while his brothers mock him for being a MommasBoy. Rudi and Runo even toss ''glassware'' at him when he starts daydreaming. Plus, one of the scenes shows Hans [[SelfHarm blatantly self-injuring]] himself by running his fingers along the rough wood splinters of an old table but feeling the physical pain to be oddly better than the constant emotional turmoil his family puts him through.

** He believes in SocialDarwinism, and often encourages his 13 sons to gang up on each other for the sake of politics, while deviations from his beliefs must be corrected forcefully. As his sons grow up, [[TheCorrupter his toxic influence]] slowly brainwashes them into becoming sycophantic enforcers for him and drives them to dehumanize others. He demands them to follow his orders and emulate him, and it's implied [[WouldHurtAChild he even physically abused them]] when they were younger. Having been born into a family that believed in VirtueIsWeakness, MightMakesRight, MiseryBuildsCharacter, and MeeknessIsWeakness, Hans UsedToBeASweetKid who abhorred his family's violence towards others, but slowly becomes a power-hungry ManipulativeBastard over time.

** The fake "ransom note" from a certain "King Gotya," who had supposedly "kidnapped" one of his brothers and would return him, but only if Hans ran around the ''entire castle three times in just his underwear''. He was only ''four'' years at the time.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] lording over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how his father [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers the countless times he tried negotiating with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled.

* It's implied the queen wants her sons to stop hurting each other, but after years of living with her tyrannical spouse, who encourages the behavior, she can barely acknowledge Hans with weak smiles. The king even mocks Hans's status as a MommasBoy, stating that "she'll be the only one who would have even noticed that [he] were missing," Also, after Hans is hit in the head with an object, Rudi and Runo tease him, asking if he's going to "run to Mommy" so that she can "kiss his boo-boo to make it all better."

* It's implied the queen wants to stop her sons from hurting each other, but after years of living with her tyrannical spouse, who encourages the behavior, she can barely acknowledge Hans with weak smiles. The king even mocks Hans's status as a MommasBoy, stating that "she'll be the only one who would have even noticed that [he] were missing," Also, after Hans is hit in the head with an object, Rudi and Runo tease him, asking if he's going to "run to Mommy" so that she can "kiss his boo-boo to make it all better."

* It's implied most of the royals don't get along with their spouses, [[HappyMarriageCharade but pretend to be happily married for social reasons]]. Noting how Caleb's pregnant wife is uncomfortable with how he ignores her, how Lars' wife Helga hates living in the Isles, and how his mother has been used to being ignored, Hans notes that most of his own family is absolutely miserable with each other. Given the betrayal scene at the climax, one can only think how Hans' relationship with either Elsa or Anna would have developed had they married.

* Hans is ridiculed by his father and brothers for [[ARealManIsAKiller his unwillingness to murder people]]. But having had enough of their abuse, Hans decides that if he wants to earn their respect, then he'll have to accept whatever tasks he gets, even if it involves violence against their subjects. Fast forward three years later, [[ItGetsEasier he's shown to be desensitized,]] having no qualms murdering Elsa or Anna in a bid to take over Arendelle. As with Hans, it's implied his older brothers didn't start out as mean jerks, but the king raised them to be ruthless, and they now have no problems hurting others. But because of the SocialDarwinist behavior constantly espoused by the king, the 13 brothers do not get along with each other and the Westergaard clan becomes totally [[DysfunctionalFamily dysfunctional]].

* It's implied most of the princes don't get along with each other and use dubious means to out-compete and obtain their father's respect, mainly because the king despises compassion as part of his SocialDarwinist beliefs.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] maintaining his iron-fisted grip over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how someone in charge of such a large kingdom [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers the countless times he tried negotiating with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled.

* As Hans grows up, the abuse corrupts him into an emotionally detached, remorseless and bitter man who [[ManipulativeBastard sees people as expendable objects]], thinks it's a CrapsackWorld out there [[TheSocialDarwinist with only the fittest surviving]], and [[LoveIsAWeakness views love as an exploitable flaw]] that's relegated to the weak-willed, and it also really shows how warped his mind has become over the years, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood rendering him unable to understand or even experience love]] thanks to the harsh upbringing that encouraged violence and manipulation over genuine care.

** He's also shown to be a petty and cruel dictator who strong-arms his subjects for more money and favors like a mob extortionist, and reacts violently when they don't do so or when they criticize him.

* It's implied the queen wants to stop her sons from hurting each other, but after years of living with her tyrannical spouse, who encourages the behavior, she can barely acknowledge Hans with weak smiles. The king even makes a rude jab about Hans's status as a MommasBoy, stating that "she'll be the only one who would have even noticed that [he] were missing," Also, after Hans is hit in the head with an object, Rudi and Runo tease him, asking if he's going to "run to Mommy" so that she can "kiss his boo-boo to make it all better."

* From the looks of it, [[PoliceState the kingdom]] is an incredibly brutal and unpleasant place to live in, with the government being a corrupt dictatorship. The EvilOverlord king reacts to any problem, even if it's minor, with DisproportionateRetribution. The princes (including Hans himself) also basically act as the king's musclemen. For example:

** God help those that are behind on their taxes — [[EvilDebtCollector they're collected through strong-arm tactics]]. Even Hans is unnerved while giving a detailed account of the tax collection he conducted to the king.
* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] maintaining his iron-fisted grip over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how someone in charge of such a large kingdom [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers countless times he tried negotiating with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] maintaining his iron-fisted grip over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how someone in charge of such a large kingdom [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either — Hans even remembers countless times he tried finding a peaceful situation with them, only to find himself being belittled or pummeled.

* Being that they married only for politics, most of the royals don't get along with their spouses, [[HappyMarriageCharade but pretend to be happily married for social reasons]]. Noting how Caleb's pregnant wife is uncomfortable with how he ignores her, how Lars' wife Helga hates living in the Isles, and how his mother has been used to being ignored, Hans notes that most of his own family is absolutely miserable with each other. Given the betrayal scene at the climax, one can only think how Hans' relationship with either Elsa or Anna would have developed had they married.
* Hans' resentment over being last in line indicates that his relationship with his family is strained at best and non-existent at worst. Also, a comment by Hans about the other eleven brothers who abuse him implies that none of them don't get along with each other and use dubious means to out-compete and obtain their father's respect, mainly because the king despises compassion as part of his SocialDarwinist beliefs.

* It's implied that most of his brothers don't get along with each other as well, as the king encourages violence within his big family so they'll be forced into accepting his SocialDarwinist mindset. Plus, he psychologically abused them to the point that they're emotionally dependent on him, and even their abuse of Hans or their wives stems from a desire to make their father favor them for showing no "weakness" or mercy. For example:
** Due to being heir to the throne and [[ParentalFavoritism the king's favorite son]], [[ManChild Caleb]] becomes a [[RoyalBrat Royally]] SpoiledBrat. Both Lars and Hans think he would be TheSlacker when their father kicks the bucket, doesn't care much about his job, and whenever the king asks him for advice, he behaves as if he was brawling with his brothers at the stables.
** An offhand comment by Hans about his older brothers implies they frequently get into violent brawls.

* Hans' resentment over being last in line indicates that his relationship with his family is strained at best and non-existent at worst. Not only that, Hans' brothers do not get along with each other and use dubious means to out-compete and obtain their father's respect, mainly because the king despises compassion as part of his SocialDarwinist beliefs.

** He believes in SocialDarwinism, and often encourages his 13 sons to gang up on each other for the sake of politics. From his twisted perspective, any deviations from his beliefs must be corrected forcefully. As they grow up, [[TheCorrupter his toxic influence]] slowly poisons them into becoming sycophantic enforcers for him and drives them to dehumanize others by brainwashing them into his beliefs. He demands them to follow his orders and emulate him, and it's implied [[WouldHurtAChild he even physically abused them]] when they were younger. Having been born into a family that believed in VirtueIsWeakness, MightMakesRight, MiseryBuildsCharacter, and MeeknessIsWeakness, Hans UsedToBeASweetKid who abhorred his family's violence towards others, but slowly becomes a power-hungry ManipulativeBastard over time.

* Except for Lars, most of Hans' brothers are brutish thugs who take [[ForTheEvulz sadistic joy and cruelty]] in punishing Hans in whatever methods they can, ranging from practical jokes and painful "accidents," to downright physical abuse. For example:

* At the end of the novel, Hans is shown panicking when the guards drag him to be deported home without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be spared, not wanting to return to the hellhole he came from in the first place, knowing [[FateWorseThanDeath what kind of punishment]] his family will dish out on him when they get wind of his actions. As shown in ''Disney/FrozenFever'', he's now in a worse situation than before, as his father condemned him to hard labor, and part of it involves shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his current condition back home, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment compared to the lively atmosphere in Arendelle, with the royal stables alone looking dark and uninviting.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans seems to care about is]] maintaining his iron-fisted grip over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how someone in charge of such a large kingdom [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father doesn't surprise him either. Hans even remembers countless times he tried finding a peaceful situation with his older brothers, only to find himself being pummeled.

* In essence, all the king [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans cares is]] maintaining his iron-fisted grip over his subjects at all costs, leaving Hans to wonder how someone in charge of such a large kingdom [[TheCaligula "could be so stupid."]] The fact that his older brothers are NotSoDifferent from their father didn't suprise him either, as he knew [[TheBrute they]] always shot first and ask questions later when resolving a problem they hated. Hans even remembers the countless times he tried finding a peaceful situation with his older brothers, only to find himself being pummeled.

* At the end of the novel, Hans is shown panicking when the guards drag him to be deported home without even seeing Anna and Elsa one last time. He's begging to be spared, not wanting to return to the hellhole he was desperately trying to escape from in the first place, knowing [[FateWorseThanDeath what kind of punishment]] his family will dish out on him when they get wind of his actions. As shown in ''Disney/FrozenFever'', he's now in a worse situation than before, as his father condemned him to hard labor, and part of it involves shoveling horse manure. From the brief look at his condition back home, he's in a bleak and unfriendly environment compared to the lively atmosphere in Arendelle, with the royal stables alone looking dark and uninviting.

** He believes in SocialDarwinism, and often encourages his 13 sons to gang up on each other for the sake of politics. From his twisted perspective, any son who doesn't live up to his very high but extremely harsh expectations and goes soft is a weakling, so they must be forcibly toughened up and told that only the toughest survive from a young age. As they grow up, [[TheCorrupter his toxic influence]] slowly poisons them into becoming sycophantic enforcers for him and drives them to dehumanize others by brainwashing them into his beliefs. He demands them to follow his orders and emulate him, and it's implied [[WouldHurtAChild he even physically abused them]] when they were younger. Having been born into a family that believed in VirtueIsWeakness, MightMakesRight, MiseryBuildsCharacter, and MeeknessIsWeakness, Hans UsedToBeASweetKid who abhorred his family's violence towards others, but slowly becomes a power-hungry ManipulativeBastard over time.

* It's implied the queen wants to stop her sons from hurting each other, but after years of living with her tyrannical spouse, who encourages the behavior, she can barely acknowledge Hans with weak smiles.

* The Westergaards not only serve as a {{Foil}} to the Arendellian royal family, they're one to Kristoff's troll family as well. Hans' resentment over being last in line indicates that his relationship with his family is strained at best and non-existent at worst. Not only that, Hans' brothers do not get along with each other and use dubious means to out-compete and obtain their father's respect, mainly because the king despises compassion as part of his SocialDarwinist beliefs. By contrast, Kristoff's family are trolls who openly and genuinely love and treasure him, and Kristoff does feel and reciprocate it, calling them "love experts" and talking fondly to them when he first brings Anna to meet them, even if they were a bit inappropriate. In essence, Kristoff has the warm love of family that Anna needs (and gets after she and Elsa are able to be together), while Hans has the cold family relationship that Anna doesn't want.

** At one point while fighting Marshmallow during the assault on Elsa's ice castle, Hans notes the {{Snowlem}} looks tame compared to his father, who is implied to have a explosive temper. Judging by his interactions with his family, it's safe to say that Hans is ''clearly terrified'' of his father's wrath as he's being deported back home at the end of the book. Plus, when Hans thinks of becoming his father's gofer, he briefly thinks of turning back, but he then shakes his head, believing that if he wants to earn his father's trust in going to Arendelle, then he must follow whatever orders the king may give, even if it involves violence. It ultimately causes Hans to compromise his own morals over the years and do things he once despised in the first place.

** The fake "ransom note" from a certain "King Gotya," who had supposedly kidnapped one of his brothers and would return him, but only if Hans ran around the ''entire castle three times in just his underwear''. He was only ''four'' years at the time.

** Hans hates attending events involving his entire family, as they always end with him being humiliated in some manner. For example, before attending his mother's birthday, he's nervous, knowing that he'll end up being the family's laughing stock. As such, he stands outside the door for 20 minutes, and when he finally appears, his father scolds him for being late, while his brothers mock him for being a MommasBoy. Rudi and Runo even toss ''glassware'' at him when he starts daydreaming. Plus, one of the scenes shows Hans [[SelfHarm blatantly self-injuring]] himself by running his fingers along the rough wood splinters of an old table, but feeling the physical pain to be oddly better than the constant emotional turmoil his family puts him through.

* It's implied that most of his brothers don't get along with each other as well, as the king encourages violence within his big family so they'll be forced into accepting his SocialDarwinist mindset. Plus, he manipulated and psychologically abused them to the point that they've become emotionally dependent on him, and even their abuse of Hans or their wives stems from a desire to make their father favor them for showing no "weakness" or mercy. For example:
** Due to being heir to the throne and [[ParentalFavoritism the king's favorite son]], Caleb becomes a [[RoyalBrat Royally]] SpoiledBrat. Both Lars and Hans think he [[ManChild would rule]] [[TheSlacker with slackness]] when their father kicks the bucket, doesn't care much for his family or the kingdom he's going to inherit, and whenever the king asks him for war or political strategies, he behaves as if it were a board game or a royal rumble with his brothers at the stables.

* Hans is ridiculed by his father and brothers for [[ARealManIsAKiller his unwillingness to murder people]]. But having had enough of their abuse, Hans decides that if he wants to earn their respect, then he'll have to accept whatever tasks he gets, even if it involves violence against their subjects. Fast forward three years later, [[ItGetsEasier he's shown to be desensitized,]] having no qualms murdering Elsa or Anna in a bid to take over the Arendelle throne. As with Hans, it's implied his older brothers didn't start out as mean jerks, but the king raised them to be ruthless, and they now have no qualms. But because of the SocialDarwinist behavior constantly espoused by the king, the 13 brothers do not get along with each other and the Westergaard clan becomes totally [[DysfunctionalFamily dysfunctional]].
* Being that they married only for politics, most of the royals don't get along with their spouses, [[HappyMarriageCharade but pretend to be happily married for social reasons]]. Noting how Caleb's pregnant wife is uncomfortable with how he ignores her, how Lars' wife Helga hates living in the Isles, and how his mother has been used to being ignored, Hans notes that most of his own family is absolutely miserable with each other. Given the betrayal scene at the climax, one can only think how Anna and Hans' relationship would have been had they married, or if Anna decided to move to the Southern Isles, only to realize Hans' family is colder than she thought.