μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

The one compulsory thing. Unless one does this one thing, misfortune comes. (Sometimes one is under magic compulsion.)

Tabu. · Unique prohibitions and compulsions. · The one compulsory thing. · The one compulsory thing. · view the constellation · filed as C650

Cited in the index
  • general **Reinhard the Survival of Geis in Mediaeval Romance. – Irish myth: Cross, MacCulloch Celtic 177ff., passim, *Schoepperle Tristan and Isolt II 307
  • general Beal XXI 312.
Within the index
13 finer motifs beneath it
Customs connected with unique compulsion The one compulsory question. Percival must ask the meaning of the strange sights he sees; else the Fisher King will not be healed Compulsion: taking back talisman which opened treasure mountain. Hero takes treasure and forgets the talisman Only one certain gift must be accepted Girl from elfland must eat earthly food in order to remain One must eat "death vegetable" whenever one sees it. Otherwise god will be angry Compulsion to bathe in certain waters daily Injunction: to marry first woman met Injunction: protect certain stone from molestation Compulsion to go to certain place at certain time (or once each year) The one compulsory song. Beer cannot be brewed until an old man sings the song of the origin of beer Compulsion to tell stories Compulsion to give food to everyone met on journey

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