Cogsworth is a supporting character in the Beauty and the Beast. Cogsworth is the Beast's majordomo and head butler, who as part of the curse was turned into an enchanted pendulum clock. In the 2017 film, Cogsworth is voiced and portrayed by Ian McKellen.
Background[]
The actual adaptation reveals that Cogsworth's first name is Henry. It is also revealed that he is married to a fishmonger named Clothilde. At the end of the film, he is reunited with Clothilde (much to his dismay), who, along with the other villagers, had lost her memory of him and the other servants in the Beast's castle. This incarnation of Cogsworth is older than the original.
Personality[]
- “This has gone far enough! I'm in charge, here!”
- ―Cogsworth
Cogsworth naturally has a serious demeanor which is evident in his strict attitude in serving the Beast and ordering the other servants around constantly. However, Cogsworth does mean well and is as good-natured as Lumière is. He is Lumière's best friend and also a rival of sorts. Cogsworth's preference to abide by the Beast's rules often puts a severe strain on his friendship with Lumière, who opts for a more rebellious and carefree personality, but overall, he values his friendship with Lumière and sees him as a brother, demonstrated in the original film (when he saves Lumière from being melted by LeFou, Gaston's henchman) and the midquels.
Though often viewed as a "stick-in-the-mud", Cogsworth has a much softer side to his personality. He's ultimately compassionate, intelligent, and actually enjoys the idea of having a fun time within the castle; only ruling against various festivities in hopes of keeping the Beast's anger at bay. He can also be rather sassy and is prone to making sharp remarks in response to the words of his friends; often in a rather serious manner.
Though loyal enough, Cogsworth's allegiance to the Beast is mostly driven by fear (at least during the time of the curse). Although this is true, he was shown to care for his master's happiness and well-being, specifically during the time of Belle's imprisonment, and took it upon himself to provide a boost of confidence whenever the insecure Prince was in need of such.
Role in the Film[]
Cogsworth is one of the castle's residents who serves as a butler and lived with the selfish and cruel prince. Later, when the prince is transformed into a horrible beast as punishment, Cogsworth and all the other residents of the castle are transformed into objects as the spell is cast throughout the castle, and Cogsworth becomes a pendulum clock.
When Maurice arrives at the Beast's Castle, Cogsworth appears in the form of a pendulum clock alongside Lumiere, who appears in the form of a candelabra. He later appears again observing Belle alongside Lumiere, who also comments on Belle's entrance. Lumiere also comes to the rescue just as he introduces himself to Bella as Cogsworth approaches him during his conversation with Belle. As they explore outside, Lumiere tells Belle that the castle is her new home and that she can explore anywhere except the west wing, just as Cogsworth tells her that the west wing has storage.
That night Cogsworth and the other objects tell the Beast to talk to Belle kindly, but Belle refuses to accept the Beast's offer to dine with him because he locked her in the tower, and the Beast leaves angrily. Cogsworth then offers Maestro Cadenza to play the quieter music, only to have dinner musically played to an upbeat tune during the musical number "Be Our Guest". However, Cogsworth joins in on the fun during the dinner sequence. He and Lumiere then notice Belle leaving the castle in terror after the Beast growled at her angrily.
He and the other objects participate during the musical number "Days in the Sun" and after the sequence, it is discovered that after the last petal falls, the Prince will remain a Beast forever and all the servants of the castle will become inanimate objects. Din Don later participates during "Something There" when Belle and Beast begin a romantic relationship.
Later, Cogsworth and the other castle servants prepare a formal suit for the Beast just as he and Belle begin a romantic relationship. He, Lumiere, and Cadenza watch Belle and the Beast dance together during the "Beauty and the Beast" musical number. As Belle leaves the castle to help her father, Din Don, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and Plumette are worried about Belle's plans to go to her father just as everyone leaves sadly, as the Beast sings the musical number "Evermore."
When Gaston and the angry mob arrive to kill the Beast, Cogsworth and the other residents realize this, while he himself thinks that there is no love between Belle and the Beast. He joins the battle and fights against Gastón and his villagers. After the battle ends, the last petal falls and Cogsworth transforms into his inanimate form.
When the Enchantress finally uses her magic to restore the Enchanted Rose and break the curse, Cogsworth transforms back into his human form, along with the other castle servants. They all reunite with some of the townspeople, just as he reunites with Clothilde, much to his dismay. Later, he dances with Clothilde and the other castle servants in the ballroom during the reprise of the musical number "Beauty and the Beast."
Trivia[]
- In the 1991 film, the costume that Cogsworth dons during the battle to defend the castle is an obvious reference to Napoleon Bonaparte, a famous French general.
- The Disney novel Lost in a Book adds a military history to Cogsworth's background, as Cogsworth states that he is "Colonel Cogsworth of the 4th Hussars", and that he has participated in six specific battles:
- He fought in the Battle of Hastenback (July 26, 1757), alongside General François de Chevert; Cogsworth was shot in the small of the back by Hanoverians hiding in the trenches, and this injury would stay with him.
- He fought in the Battle of Bergen (April 13, 1759) and witnessed Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick’s rather humiliating surrender at the hands of Victor-François, 2nd duc de Broglie.
- He watched the Battle of Quiberon Bay (November 20, 1759) with a unit of other cavalrymen from the shore of Quiberon.
- He fought in the Battle of Villinghausen (July 15 - July 16, 1761), but was captured and taken prisoner by the Prussians; he escaped by jumping out of his cell window and cushioning his fall with snowdrifts.
- He fought in the Battle of Quebec (December 31, 1775), under the command of General Richard Montgomery, leading their unit across the frozen St. Lawrence River.
- He fought in the Battle of Yorktown (September 28 - October 19, 1781), riding alongside Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau.
- Many actors (such as John Cleese) were considered for the role of Cogsworth.
- Cogsworth's line, "Flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep," was improvised by his voice actor David Ogden Stiers in the 1991 film.