Comparing Deities Of The Trickster Archetype In Different Culture

Britt Hampton

HUM 115 1N1

Comparing Deities

The trickster archetype is a frequently represented deity that is memorable in many different culture’s pantheons and is exemplified through their mythologies. This clever deity figure is often an instigator that acts to propel the wheels of change, he is often mischievous in his methods and his motivations may be questioned by higher-ranking deities. Often times it is the trickster deity that is made an example of in many of the mythological tales. The Norse trickster deity Loki and the Greek titan-born trickster god Prometheus share this common thread, along with many other characteristics such as their clever and curious natures, which single them out from the other deities of their respective

For example, it is not uncommon for a trickster deity to be a capable shape-shifter as well. The Ramayana described trickster Hanuman in one instance as he took the unassuming form of a young scholar to scope out and engage Rama in conversation as he approached (Narayan 91). In another instance, The Ramayana related how Hanuman was able to shrink his form to an “unnoticeable size” to continue his search for Sita without being detected by Ravana (Narayan 121). Like Hanuman, Loki was a prominent shape shifter who was capable and well known for taking other physical forms such as a small fly and a falcon to name a few (McCoy). The Greek trickster Prometheus does not technically adhere to the same shape shifter criteria that Loki and Hanuman do, although the abilities of his physical body are unique because he manages to grow back his liver every day only for an eagle to eat it out daily as punishment for deceiving and mocking Zeus (Martin 39). Another striking similarity between all these trickster deities is their individual and active roles in the provocation of war. In the case of Hanuman in The Ramayana, it is Hanuman who physically leads Rama to Ravana’s hiding place in order to battle the evil king of Lanka in exchange for Rama’s kidnapped wife, Sita (Narayan). Prometheus was also a prominent instigator of war in the Greek tales of the battle between the Titans and the gods of Mt. Olympus, he is also known for the switching side of his support from the Titans to the Olympians (Cartwright). In another instance, Prometheus acted as an aggravator, it was his role and relationships with the mortal humans also distinguished him from the other Greek deities, these relations were frowned down on by Zeus who in turn waged a war on humans unleashing the plague of Pandora and her box on them as a