μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Other ways of cheating the devil of his promised soul.

Deceptions. · Deceptive bargains. · Deception in payment of debt. · Devil cheated of his promised soul. · view the constellation · filed as K219

Cited in the index
  • general U.S., England, Wales: Baughman.
Within the index

Filed under Devil cheated of his promised soul. The man saves it through deceit.

7 finer motifs beneath it
Devil cheated of his promised soul by making the intended victim drunk. The devil may punish the drunk man's body but has no power over his soul Devil cheated of his promised soul when the victim sells his to a comrade. The latter says, "The devil can take only one soul from each person. I bought the soul so that when he comes I can give him one and still save my own." God cheats the devil of his promised soul. The devil is to fill a cask full of money. God knocks the bottom out of the cask Devil is to get soul of man whether he is buried "inside or outside of church, above or below ground." The man has himself buried in the wall of the church, partly in and partly out of the ground. (Cf. H1052.) Man cheats devil by giving him sole instead of soul. (Cf. E459.1.) Devil gets an animal in place of a human being Devil gets a flea instead of man's soul
Filed beside it
Devil cheated by imposing an impossible task Devil cheated by being frightened Devil pounded in knapsack until he releases man Devil's magic power turned on himself. The hero who is riding the devil as a horse receives supernatural strength from plucking a hair from the devil's mane. He then spurs the devil until he agrees to forego his bargain for the man's soul Devil cheated by pretended hanging. The man has promised himself to the devil in return for money. He stuffs his clothes with straw and hangs them up. The devil thinks the man has hanged himself and is satisfied Devil to release man for performing seemingly impossible task. The task is performed by trickery Devil gets another soul instead of one bargained for. The devil bargains with a man for his soul, but the man fulfills his contract and escapes. In envy two persons commit suicide. The devil rejoices that though he lost one he has gained two Devil cheated by religious or magic means. Missouri French: Carrière

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “cheating” · wander