μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Weak (small) hero overcomes large fighter.

Reversal of fortune. · Triumph of the weak. · Weak overcomes strong in conflict. · view the constellation · filed as L311

Filed across the traditions
  • Irish myth Cross
  • English Child II 35ff.
  • Icelandic *Boberg
  • Spanish Exempla Keller
  • Italian Novella Rotunda
  • Japanese Anesaki 311
  • Jewish Neuman, I Samuel 17:23 (David and Goliath)
  • Tuamotu Beckwith Myth 476.
  • general *Type 328
  • general A. Stender-Petersen Acta Jutlandica VI (1934) 166ff.
  • general N. Am. Indian (Southern Paiute, Shivwits): Lowie JAFL XXXVII 150 No. 17
  • general Guatamala Indian (Quiche): Alexander Lat. Am. 168ff.
Within the index

Filed under Weak overcomes strong in conflict.

5 finer motifs beneath it
Sick hero overcomes antagonist Poorly-armed hero overcomes well-armed by strategy Poor prince overcomes king Little innocent girl is able to drive giant out of land Small boy overcomes enraged gorilla
Filed beside it
Little strong man defeats giant in race Small animal overcomes large Offended rats gnaw saddle girths of king's horses so that he is defeated in battle Mice win war with woodcutters

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