μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Scholars’ trail — 3references

The index’s own references — the collections where scholars sighted this story-shape, tradition by tradition. Titles on our shelf are live links; the rest is the frontier, not yet shelved.

  • Irish myth*Cross
  • Cape Verde IslandsParsons MAFLS XV (1) 106 n. 1.
  • general Penzer III 66
Within the index

Filed under Suitor tests. A suitor is put to severe tests by his prospective bride or father-in-law.

8 finer motifs beneath it
Successful suitor to be without blotchesSuccessful suitor must have gold teethSuitors chosen with feet as only part seenSuccessful suitor must have whitest hands. Blacksmith qualifies because of frequent washing of handsSuccessful suitor must have cheeks like blood, skin like snow and hair like a raven. (Cf. Z65.1.)Suitor test: correct wearing of clothesSuitor test: to be able to go through a wallBridegroom-to-be has to have three pecks, three quarts of gold and an animal with a horn on his head pointing to the sky, and a large red hair
Filed beside it
Tests for hero, husband of supernatural (divine) wifeBrother unwittingly qualifies as bridegroom of sister in testInspection test for suitors. Suitors for princess's hand must present themselves for public inspection. (Cf. H362, T55.7.)Suitor test: obedience and humility before brideSuitor's sincerity testedSuitor test: to whom the princess turns. Rival suitors sleep with princess. The one she turns to is to have her. They vie in enticementsSuitor test: apple thrown indicates princess's choice. (Often golden apple.)Long term of service imposed on suitorSuitor preferred who will pay enormous sum for brideSuitor test: hiding from princess. She has magic sightSuitor test: finding princessSuitor test: learning girl's nameSuitor test: choosing princess from others identically cladSuitor test: skillSuitor test: cleverness and learningSuitor test: power of endurance

wander