μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Escape from devil by answering his riddles.

Tests. · Tests of cleverness. · Riddles. · Propounding of riddles. · view the constellation · filed as H543

Filed across the traditions
  • Lithuanian Balys Legends No. 754
  • Jamaica *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 275 No. 86.
  • general *Type 812
  • general BP III 12ff.
  • general Fb "spørgsmål" III 524b
Within the index

Filed under Propounding of riddles.

2 finer motifs beneath it
Devil held off from person by answering his riddles. St. Andrew the Bishop, and the Devil. The Devil, in form of beautiful maiden visits a holy bishop. St. Andrew appears as a pilgrim, answers the questions through which the devil seeks to keep him at a distance and discomfits the devil. (Cf. B302.22.3.) Child in cradle guesses devil's riddle: all are saved
Filed beside it
Supernatural creatures propound riddles. (See also H541.1.1, H543, G681.) Queen propounds riddles King propounds riddles Saint as propounder of riddles Bridegroom propounds riddles at wedding feast Riddle propounded with penalty for failure Death sentence escaped by propounding riddle king (judge) cannot solve Answers found in other world to riddles propounded on way Riddle contests Princess offered to man who can out-riddle her Man marries girl who guesses his riddles Solvers of riddles Inscription on home of riddle-solver "I have no care." Riddle propounded from chance experience. On way to riddle trial youth sees things that give him a clue for his riddles
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Student is helped by devil when he can answer three questions in rhyme. (Cf. H543.)
Carried in tale types

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