μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Scholars’ trail — 7references

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.

  • India*Thompson-Balys
  • Africa (Yoruba)Ellis 263
  • JamaicaBeckwith MAFLS XVII 279 No. 95
  • Cape Verde IslandsParsons MAFLS XV (1) 277 n. 1.
  • general *Type 945
  • general BP III 53ff.
  • general *Gründwald Hessische Blätter f. Vksk. XXX 317
Within the index

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

3 finer motifs beneath it
Princess to marry man who can make her speak to him in all watches of the nightDumb princess brought to speak by shepherd who insults herSilent princess gives right answer when talking monkey is given wrong one by suitor-prince
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.)Physical and mental requirements for suitorsSuitor 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 learning
Carried in tale types

wander