Tricksters
are present in every mythology, but yet vary largely in terms
of magnitude. Most mythologies tell of isolated tales where
the use of trickery and wit is used to overcome obstacles, but
it is in few mythologies where the role of the trickster is
properly taken on. Examples of these mythologies are the Norse,
Native Indian and many African mythologies.
To start
with the isolated cases of trickery, many such tales are connected
to the theft of fire, also talked about in the theme of heroism.
The Cherokee people in America believe in the tale where a water
spider managed to get a burning ember for humanity through outwitting
its owner. Another tale in the region tells of a raven that
got fire for humanity too, in the similar fashion.
Besides
outwitting their enemies by theft, another interesting idea
that can be seen in quite a few myths is the idea of fighting
by brains, rather than brawl. In one tale from Oceania, the
sister of a girl whom had been swallowed by an ogre, taunted
the ogre into swallowing her as well. Inside the stomach the
two sisters used a pair of shells, which the sister had prepared
before taunting the ogre to cut a hole in his stomach, finally
freeing them both.
Herakles
of Greek mythology was also one who performed many tasks which
involved outwitting his enemies, even though he possessed great
strength. Chinese mythology tells the tale of a monkey who journeys
to the west to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Along the way, the
monkey had to resort to intellectual combat in many occasions
to overcome the obstacles that had been put in his way.
What has
been seen so far are only tales of trickery in isolated events.
Many cultures feature consistent tricksters who usually hold
a close relationship with the gods, enabling them to have a
great effect on the future of the entire universe. The most
famous of these tricksters is Loki from Norse mythology. Apart
from that, Greek mythology features the trickster Hermes, whilst
African mythology houses yet another famous trickster, known
as Eshu.
Eshu was
a god of the African culture known as Yoruba. He took on the
role of a messenger to the gods, and as the protector of human
beings. However, he was depicted in many tales to have confused
both the gods and the humans instead of carrying out his tasks
dutifully.
Loki of
Norse mythology presents many features of tricksters of many
cultures, except amplified many times. The interesting thing
about Loki was that he had helped the gods on many occasions,
and in very important ways. However, he later also led to the
downfall of the gods themselves, leading the frost giants against
the gods at the day of Ragnarok.
In North
America, the Native Indians made much reference to the trickster,
Coyote, who often tricked other people, and yet was often tricked
himself. It is noteworthy that Coyote in fact embodied many
human aspects and human flaws such as greed and selfishness.
An important
aspect about tricksters in many times is their ability to shape
shift, or to change their form. Loki had this special ability,
and so did the Japanese trickster, Kitsune. In other occasions,
they are able to perform the task due to their position, such
as that of a messenger to the gods, like in the case of Hermes
and Eshu.
In the cases
of such important tricksters, they serve a very important role
in the progression of events in different cultures. It is through
their cunning and their wit that they manage to cheat and deceive
the very gods themselves and by virtue of deception, usually
towards a negative outcome.
Next:
Disasters
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Noteboards
> The
Great Themes > Tricksters
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