The extraordinary archetype, the trickster figure, appears in folklore and mythology around the world. In cultures, where a trickster god, or creature, is present, it is ‘the other gods who have made the various forms of perfection’ (Atwood 2). Trickster is the one who is seen as responsible for the changes, the mistakes (2). Trickster has been credited for a score of positive developments, such as bringing sunshine, life and food to Earth (Hyde 25), and has been blamed for the just as many negative, such as the reason why people need food to survive (23), and why they cannot return from the dead (86). Because trickster is ‘at one and the same time creator and destroyer, giver and negator, he who dupes others and who is always duped himself’
(10), he is responsible for why the world, and life on it, is the way it is. As “the changer of things”, trickster tends not to be a main character outside his own tales. It is important to note that one trickster figure alone, is not credited, or blamed, for all trickster doings. Different cultures have different tricksters, and the various tricksters are ascribed different characteristics. Tricksters are a certain type of breed, and their set of skills are similar, but not identical. It would therefore be senseless to combine all the various tricksters, their skills and their features, in a “united” figure, since such a “trickster” would be a useless creation to study (68). When working with the trickster figure, one should rather reduce, than expand, the term trickster (Carroll 105). Which, when taking their various geographic locations, and cultures, into consideration, seems more appropriate. However, the various trickster figures do have some characteristics and features in common, albeit, not many. It is in fact, quite hard to pinpoint these, “universal”, trickster characteristics (Hyde 68), and only a handful appears to be generally applicant for all. Thus, before going into depth with whether tricksters appear outside the myths, epics, and folklore - in contemporary literature, it is necessary to untangle the intricate web that is trickster.
One of Magliocco's main arguments is that these Neo-Pagan cults all have roots in both anthropology and folklore in their early development. Magliocco offers a detailed historical analysis and examines influences found all the way back to classical traditions. She concludes this analysis by bringing her reader back to the contemporary and offers us insight into how both the fields of anthropology and folklore have helped shape Neo-Paganism into what it has become today.
“Labeling theory,” which states that our self-identity and behavior can be altered by the names or terms that people use to describe or classify us. Labeling is using descriptive terms to categorize or classify something or someone. Sometimes these labels can have positive impacts on our life or as Amanat’s mentioned that these labels can limit our full potential to do anything by believing that people’s expectation about us is how we should define ourselves. In doing so, we act against our true nature because we’re trying to live up to others expectations or deny their assumptions.
The Algonquian myth, the Great Serpent and the Great Flood, is a story about how and why the earth was once flooded, and it explains how humankind survived this devastating event. As the tale unfolds, the beliefs that Algonquian people possess about their deities is revealed. Rather than presenting a superior being that possess immortality, omniscience, and perfect morality, the myth presents a flawed deity of the Algonquian culture, the Great Serpent, that is mortal, unknowing, and evil.
The myths which prove the contradictory behavior of the gods, acting as both benefactors and tormentors of man, can readily be explained when viewed in light of the prime directive for man, to worship the gods and not “overstep,” and the ensuing “Deus ex Mahina” which served to coerce man to fulfill his destiny as evidenced by the myths: “Pandora,” “Arachne, and “Odysseus.” Humankind and it’s range of vision over the gods beauty and power portrayed them to be benefactors but unseemingly it depicted their affliction towards humans.
Loki is known as the trickster god of Norse mythology and is even said to be one of the first anti-heroes. He is also probably one of the most well-known tricksters as well. In the Norse myths, he is often portrayed as being very mischievous and is always causing trouble for the gods. In fact, “he was so outrageously mischievous that he even sneaked his way into becoming a god” (Allen, and Saunders, par. 1). However, even though he almost always seems to be getting the gods into some kind of trouble, he also helps them at times in an attempt to get them out of their predicaments…even if those predicaments are his own fault to begin with.
Irving, Washington. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Ed. Illustrated Arthur Rackham. United States: David McKay, 1928.
“The Circular Ruins” can be interpreted in several ways, but the basic plot revolves around a man trying to create another being in his dreams. This creator, referred to as a “magician” in the story, is a god in that he creates a likeness of himself and gives it life. The magician’s desire to create this perfect son is a strong parallel to the Judeo-C...
Apollo is one of the most widely renowned Greek god in ancient history, and one of the few gods to have both the same Greek and Roman name (Apollo). An online article, “Apollo,” said that he started out as the god of herdsmen, and “Apollo's identification as god of music, archery, and medicine came after his oracle was established at Delphi” ( “Apollo”). The article on GaleNet also mentioned that much later, he was commemorated as the god of the sun. Apollo is known for his powers in prophesying and his musical abilities with the lyre, a type of harp. He is also acknowledged as an athlete, particularly an archer, and a healer. He is said to have been the god to teach mortals the art of medicine. Apollo is an amazing character in Greek mythology,
Nevertheless , the arts of the evil continue to cast a shadow in the folk traditions and folklores , making many of us to wonder, if this is just a rabble of silly tricks and illusions or whether it is infinitely more sinister than we want to admit.
...ts omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.”
In the dawn of the modern age, the western European society that had once revered mysticism and allowed it to shape and recreate Christianity began to see mystics as a hostile force against reason and science. While many ideas held by the medieval mystics echo still in many protestant and even some Catholic churches, much of society has dismissed the revelations and visions seen by these mystics as nonsensical and a likely result of several psychological disorders. Those who experience the abstract, fantastic visions and spiritual phenomenon in today’s world are subject to much more scrutiny than those of medieval Europe, as the general individualistic populace cannot quite comprehend the idea of the experiential union between God and man that
Psychological susceptibility to various faiths in the fact that human life is exposed to supernatural forces that affect a person's fate, and often prejudge its outcome, always existed in all human societies and cultures. One of the major determinants of this psychological susceptibility is superstitions that appear as the main engines of believe in the intervention of supernatural forces in human’s life. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica (2010) ‘superstition’ could be defined as ‘belief, half-belief or practice’, which does not have any rational explanation or basis. Despite this fact, according to Behringer (2004) the amount of believers in witchcraft and superstitions are significantly higher than in XVII century.
While is a common conception that pre-modern societies are primitive compared to their modern counterpart, this is not often the case, theses societies have complex systems within their society especially within their spirituality and religion. It is this complexity that has allowed aspects of pre-modern societies to evolve and adapt into modern societies. Myths, rituals and sorcery have been terms to describe the activities of pre-modern societies, but these activities have also been found to exist within modern society as well. This essay will further discuss the connections between pre-modern and modern societies that has allowed for myths, rituals and sorcery to exist in the modern societies.
Throughout studying many myths, I came up with many new observations. Many questions came into my mind about these myths. Greek mythology takes us back to a time when people had a connection with nature and when nature played a major role in people’s lives. The religious beliefs of the people who wrote the myths are found in the background of these myths; however, they are not to be read like religious texts. The myths try to offer explanations of “how”, which makes us think deeply about the purpose of these myths and the questions they draw to our minds. According to the myths we studied in class, the world created the gods, not the other way around. The gods were always created in the image of man, which shows how much men were important in their society. Furthermore, many of these Greek myths show us the difference between the views of the Greek then and our view towards many aspects of the society, including nature. Monsters appear in Greek myths and have different representations and roles. Greek mythology reflects a view of the Greeks towards the world and how certain aspects of their lives are similar and different to modern society.
When you where a kid did your parents ever tell you stories about your culture or about your family’s values? Chances are they where telling you a folk tale. Folk tales are stories passed down usually by word of mouth but often they are written down. Folk tales teach a valuable life lesson while entertaining the reader or in some cases the listener. This essay will give examples of three folk tales and go into depth on how they teach lessons and still remain entertaining for children and even adults.