μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Thief in disguise.

Deceptions. · Thefts and cheats. · Thefts. · Means of entering house or treasury. · view the constellation · filed as K311

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • French Canadian Barbeau JAFL XXIX 23
  • Missouri French Carrière
  • India Thompson-Balys.
Within the index

Filed under Means of entering house or treasury.

18 finer motifs beneath it
Thief dressed half white, half black. His father's corpse is guarded by twenty knights in black and twenty in white. By disguising he steals back the corpse Thief disguised as corpse. In the shroud of the supposed dead man is hidden another robber Thief disguised as angel Thief disguises voice and is allowed access to goods (children) Thief becomes monk in order to rob monastery Thief disguised as demon Thief takes form of animal Thieves disguised as interior decorators. Steal hangings in palace Theft by disguise as son of owner Thieves disguised as fine gentlemen steal provost's purse. Are admitted to court without question Theft by disguising as palace official Thieves disguised as musicians Thief disguised as menial Theft by disguise as barber Theft by disguise as merchant (or peddler) Thief in disguise as god Thief disguised as girl Thief disguised as beggar
Filed beside it
Thieves hidden in oil casks. In one cask is oil; in the others the robbers are hidden. The girl kills them Trickster feigns being pursued by drunken husband to obtain entrance Thief enters treasury through secret passage Theft through chimney Thief copies key by making wax impression Watchdog enticed away. Trickster brings rabbit under his coat. When the king's watchdog gives chase the trickster enters and robs Thief learns location of dupe's food supply by strewing ashes. Fills the dupe's bag with ashes and cuts a hole in the bag Theft of gold hoard by spying on secret hiding place Thief pretends to return grass that has stuck to his clothes to ground where it belongs Theft by use of coat of invisibility. (Cf. D1361.12.) Thief feigns illness to be taken in victim's house. (Cf. K341.2.2.1.) Ransacks it while "recovering."
Carried in tale types

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