SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
When Rapunzel was kidnapped Mother Gothel brainwashed her.She said that the world was a dangerous place and people would not only harm her,but also her hair and Rapunzel was too weak to defend herself and didn't have a clue what the outside world contained while Mother Gothel knew what people could do and understood what a precious thing Rapunzel's hair was so she knew how to keep it safe.She's basically saying Rapunzel can't keep her and her hair safe because she doesn't realise how dangerous the world is and how special her hair is.This makes Rapunzel feel guilty for even wanting to go out because she believes mother is more experienced and therefore in the right and she is in the wrong.However,Gothel doesn't tell Rapunzel that she is never going to let her leave so every passing second there's a possibilty that Gothel will allow Rapunzel to leave so Rapunzel gets her hopes up since Gothel is leaving the door open a crack.Every year she gets more hopeful,impatient and determind.But if she does leave she'll be crippled with guilt because she thinks Gothel was doing what was best for her.

Gothel:I love you very much dear

Rapunzel:I love you more

Gothel:I love you most.

When Gothel first speaks she means it.However, when she speaks again, she's saying that to the magic in Rapunzel's hair.She's trying to keep Rapunzel's hair safe and loves it the most,but I believe she also loves Rapunzel--to an extent.It's kind of a love--hate relationship.While Rapunzel is in the tower she learns lots of skills to distract herself from the outside world and convince herself her tower is not that bad but it doesn't work-she can't help but want to explore the world.

Let's take a break to talk about Rapunzel and Pascal's relationship.Pascal was Rapunzel's only friend growing up.He didn't have much of a personality but he didn't need to.Pascal can't talk but he can understand Rapunzel.He listens to her feeling and opinions and doesn't judge them or give an opinion for them.He's simply there for her and he always listens to her.He doesn't ask questions or give advice but he listens and that's all Rapunzel needs.

Soon Rapunzel realises that Gothel will never let her out and decides to take action so she manipulates Flynn into taking her to the lanterns that appear on her birthday.She feels like they're meant for her and senses a connection with them;like they're her destiny,her goal-her dream.She thinks her life will be complete once she sees them.

When she leaves the tower she feels guilty for disobeying Mother Gothel and excited for getting a glimpse at the outside world,even if she sees it all the time from her tower.She gets a slosh of feelings in her stomach that are about to explode.Sort of like how I feel excited for joining fanpop and nervous for joining when I'm 9 and a half (ssh,don't tell the authorities that).

Rapunzel has no idea how to act in the outside world.An example of this is when she breaks down in front of Flynn(see above). She's uncomfortable and unsure around people which causes her to panic which causes energy to radiate off her which causes her to be enthusiastic which causes her to be awkward.She talks a lot in an attempt to distract people from anything wrong she might do.Flynn tells her this will break Mother Gothel's heart but a little adventure and rebellion is good which tempts her to go back to her tower.But it's the lanterns which encourage her to go on because they're her dream.

At first,Rapunzel is scared of the thugs in the Snuggly Duckling but that fear turns to annoyance when they fight over Flynn.She raises her voice at them because without Flynn she can't live her dream and her mind is set on the lanterns and she won't stop until she gets them.The thugs help Rapunzel because they can relate to having a dream.In I've Got a Dream Rapunzel is relieved she seems to be fitting in with people from the outside world and joins in with the song because she thinks this is what normal people do and is learning off other people in the world.

When Rapunzel and Flynn are drowning Rapunzel blames herself for venturing into the world.Flynn reveals that his real name is Eugene and Rapunzel trusts him so she reveals the magic of her hair.They both share these secrets before drowning because they trust each other.At the campfire Eugene reveals his backstory.He wanted to be more than an orphan and looked up to Flynnaginn Ryder because he was everything he wasn't.He wanted to have a better life where he was more than an ordinary orphan.Nobody showed him any support in his thief years and always judged him for being a thief.But Rapunzel was paying attention to him and not judging him.For the first time in his life someone showed him attention and acceptance.In return,Rapunzel revealed her secrets despite her mother's warning that people would just use her hair.She trusted him and revealed her darkest secrets to him.They both listened to each other and didn't judge the other.For the first time someone listened to them.

Rapunzel is getting used to the outside world.There's a lot of danger in it but also good people.But when Mother Gothel returns her self-esteem is put to the test.All her doubts and insecurity that she had been slowly biting away come crashing back on her.She had almost forgotten about Mother Gothel and her guilt piled up again.She admits to her that she had developed feelings for Eugene and when Mother Gothel gives her the crown she doesn't know whether to give it to Eugene or not.

Skip to when Rapunzel and Eugene are on the boat.Rapunzel says "What if it's not all I dreamed it would be?" Bam.She prefered the journey to the destination.She learned and experienced so much and she doesn't know if the lanterns can live up to all that.Now she's unsure about where she'll be in life once she sees the lanterns.She'll just go back to the tower and continue being sheltered and protected after everything she experienced and there would be nothing left to do in life now that her dream is completed.After the lanterns Rapunzel realises Eugene is her new dream.She has an entirely new goal,challenge,ambition,destiny,passion,dream,purpose in life:Eugene Fitzherbert.

Cut to when Eugene abandons Rapunzel.All the fun she had,all the things she learnt,all the people she met,had gone to waste.She has given up and now believes everything her mother told her was right.She trusted Eugene,told him her secrets,opened up to him,yet in the end he was a lying schemer.The world is a dangerous place,everyone in it is cruel and there is no love in it.All her insecurity piled up on her when it was starting to disappear.

Her whole life was a lie.All that time she was hiding from the world believing mother knows best when her mother had been lying to her.She was no longer the awkward,self--conscious girl her mother had raised her to be.Finally Rapunzel has overcome her fears and found the courage to stand up to Mother Gothel.Rapunzel is a new woman.She isn't scared anymore and she's not a little kid anymore.

Rapunzel is willing to give up her freedom for Eugene's life because she trusts him.He has given her hope,attention and acceptance and she has given him the same thing.Eugene is her new dream and the fact that he is alive was more than enough for her.In return,Eugene gives up his life for Rapunzel's freedom.Now that Eugene is dead,Rapunzel's dream is broken,crumbled,shattered.The purpose of her entire life,the center of her universe,was gone.When Rapunzel cries that single tear tells him how much she loves him,how much she misses him,how much she enjoyed spending time with him without any words.That tear is heartbroken and heartfelt enough to bring him back to life.Now that he's alive,she has her dream back.A purpose to live.The center of her universe.Now she is a new woman--a confident,strong,brave woman.The world is filled with evil and danger,but there's a reason for evil and anger.It teaches.It teaches people to love,live life to the fullest,care and be grateful of the blessings they have.There is also trust,good,happiness and love in the world.You just have to be brave enough to find it.