Trickster outwits larger foes
A motif, one of the traits figures share. All traits.
Behaviour TMI K1700
14 figures
In story after story he manipulates situations so that the weak triumph over the strong, outwitting his standing nemesis Brer Fox along with wolves, bears, and whatever else presumes on its size.
Coyote is a transformer who does real world-making — bringing fire, releasing water or game, establishing how death works, arranging features of the landscape — and he is also foolish, greedy, lecherous and vain, frequently undone by exactly the appetite that drove the useful act.
He has eleven brothers, all bearing his name with a distinguishing addition, and they spend the cycle attempting to kill him out of envy — trapping him, felling trees on him, luring him into holes — and being outwitted each time.
This extraordinary tale served as a powerful metaphor in medieval times, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, of cleverness over brute strength, and of the seemingly weak overcoming the mighty.
Some tales portray the Rompo as a trickster figure, using its unusual combination of traits to outwit both predators and human hunters.
This vulnerability has given rise to numerous tales of clever humans outwitting trolls by tricking them into staying out until dawn.
While not inherently malevolent, Chōchinobake delight in startling humans and animals alike, finding amusement in their bewildered reactions.
Anansi is celebrated for his ability to outsmart and triumph over much larger and seemingly more powerful adversaries.
Known for their love of chaos and trickery, goblins take great delight in sabotaging human endeavors.
Its ability to defeat a much larger and seemingly more dangerous opponent through cunning and unconventional methods has made it a symbol of resourcefulness and the triumph of wit over brute strength.
This lack of intelligence is often their downfall in stories, where clever heroes outwit them rather than overpower them directly.
However, Ratatoskr is far from a neutral courier; it takes great delight in stirring up trouble and conflict between these two beings and among the gods themselves.
The creature is said to possess an uncanny intelligence, able to outwit hunters and evade capture through a combination of cunning and its natural camouflage abilities.
He can shift between raven and human form and is credited with the cunning to trick stronger animals out of food or possessions.