Question: If Mothel Gothel could fly at the beginning of the film, even if her age was alternating, then why doesn't she use that magic ability of hers throughout the rest of film? It's obvious why she couldn't reveal her powers to Rapunzel, but why didn't she even fly at other times when Rapunzel wasn't in her presence, including the scene when she realizes Rapunzel is no longer in the tower? Since the lack of Rapunzel's answer indicated to Gothel she was gone, couldn't she have flown up to the top of the tower to check through the window, instead of having to climb the stairs?
GalahadFairlight
4th Mar 2011
Answer: She didn't know for a fact that Rapunzel wasn't in the tower until she investigated for herself, hence why she went to the trouble of pulling the rubble from the hidden doorway and entering through the floor. What if Rapunzel was simply asleep or injured, if she flew up to the window and Rapunzel saw her, she'd have lots of awkward questions to answer, and she has jealously guarded Rapunzel to stay young for nearly 20 years, she's not going to risk a mistake.
GalahadFairlight