Alex Parrish Michael Teske December 7, 2016
Trickster Essay Tricksters appear in the mythology and folklore of many cu ltures around the world. Although the power and relative divinity d ivinity of each Trickster varies from tradition to tradition, Tricksters have important roles in the creation and development of eac h culture. The Coyote of Native North American traditions is often depicted as assisting the “Great Mystery” Mystery” or “Great Spirit” in the world. In the Greek mythology Hermes is initially a sly infant who captures a tortoise with his untruths and fashions the first lyre from its shell, but he eventually transitions to a place amongst the Olympic pantheon as the messenger of the gods. Hermes and Coyote, two trickster gods, have many similarities and differences that make them unique to the culture that worships them such as, the theme of duty, duty, gender roles, and morality. In both the Native North American and Ancient Greek cultures, Trickster gods appear and are used in similar roles. In Greek mythology, Hermes is devious and deceitful; in the first hours after his birth he escapes from his cradle and carried off the oxen of Apollo. In order to not be discovered by his footsteps he puts on sandals and drove that oxen to Pylos. Zeus who realized the speed needed to pull off the deception made Hermes the messenger of the gods. In the Iliad and the Odyssey this is not mentioned, but he is said to be a deceptive thief. In comparison, Coyote saw the need for fire after witnessing a human village mourning the dea th of elders and children who had died during d uring the winter. The Coyote stole fire by hiding as an ordinary wild
PARRISH 1
coyote and gave it to the humans, who needed it to stay warm during the winter. Hermes and Coyote both showed the deceptive side that characterizes the Trickster archetype in mythology. Hermes the messenger god was also known for bringing undead souls to the underworld as well as being an object of worship for the merchant class. Hermes fought on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan war and was worshipped for his speed, luck, travel, athleticism and for being a shaped. This is similar to the duties and role of Coyo te, the messenger, hero, fool, and cunning lier, who impersonates the creator and made people. Coyote can also be compared to Prometheus, in that he also steals fire for mankind and provides an aetiological answers to natural phenomena, such as naming many of the animals of the plain. In contrast to Hermes, the Coyote has a larger role in the creation of man using is tricks to become a creator and producing man out of mud. Coyote and Hermes have very similar duties and tasks, in that they resemble the same character but differ with the importance of the duty they provide. The theme of gender roles plays a large part in a characters tasks, and duties in both the Greek and Native American Religions. Both Trickster gods Hermes and Coyote are male, and perform what some might look at as male responsibilities. Both Hermes and Coyote have been compared to the Scandinavian Loki, and Anansi, a mythological culture hero from Western African mythology. These characters, who are both male, are referred to as Trickster gods who also preform tasks associated with males. In ancient Greece, wo men and men had respective roles in their societies. Women were supposed to have kids, specifically a son to continue the blood line, and stay home to take care of the household. The large exception to this is Sparta. Due to the focus on the military, women were much more involved in the city-states community and could own property. This view of women were reflected in mythology with female gods
PARRISH 2
taking on more famine tasks such as weaving and crafting, and male gods being tasked with more dominant roles. Hermes is no exception to this, as a male one thing he is tasked with is being a messenger. One of the most famous stories of a messenger is when the Athenians defeated the Persian Empire in 490 BC showing that the Persians could be stopped. According to Herodotus, a male Athenian runner named Pheidippides was sent to run from Athens to Sparta to ask for assistance before the battle. He ran a distance of over 140 miles, arriving in Sparta the day after he left. Then, following the battle, they sent Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens, to announce the Greek victory with the word “nenik !kamen!"; we've won!, whereupon he promptly died of exhaustion. This role of messenger was a heroic task, Hermes was tasked with it because of his swiftness and reliability making him a necessity for the gods. This was a responsibility that was associated with males because of its high priority. Traditionally, Plains Indian gender roles were well defined, and men's and women's responsibilities were equally crucial to the functioning, even the survival, of their societies. Consequently, both men and women were respected for doing their jobs well. The women would be tasked with clearing fields, planting, hoeing, and harvesting; digging cache pits and storing food; erecting and dismantling lodges and tipis; collecting wild plants and firewood; cook ing, hauling water, and washing dishes; transporting possessions, generally on foot; and making household items, including pottery and clothing. The men in would gamble, smoke, mend weapons, and care for horses. Coyote is no exception to the culture and is never seen doing tasks such as crafting or tending to the fields. Tricksters are usually male characters, linked with masculine traits such as breaking rules, boasting, questioning or mocking authority and playing tricks on both humans and gods. These are things that conventionally woman wouldn't do, such as question authority or
PARRISH 3
to boast. Hermes and Coyote share this masculine role and reflect on the culture of the Native Americans and the Greeks. In classical mythology the archetype of the trickster is that he is usually selfish, irrepressibly sympathetic, foolish or clever, and have a lack of morality. Hermes as well as Coyote express these traits, specifically with their Amorality. Hermes being the god of thieves he was devious and clever. Coyote was just as devious and used his animal form to con and steal for the benefit of humanity. The Native figure Coyote, and the Greek figure Hermes use cleverness to get away with great deceptions like the impersonation of the creator and the theft of Apollo’s cattle. Hermes is able to quickly think of a way to cover his tracks knowing that it was wrong to steal his brothers cattle. When questioned by Zeus, he has no problem denying and lying to him and Apollo about not being involved. Coyote ha s no problem being dishonest and discussing himself as the creator in order to make man. Both gods have no problem being dishonest and it shows on the character of the trickster. This Amorality reflects the cultures negative values o f lying and trickery. It also serves as a warning, that there are people wh o aren’t always the most honest. Coyote and Hermes play large roles in the story of mythology, they both are central figures and represent similar ideas revolving around, deception, trade, travel and messages. Tricksters, have important roles in the creation and development the culture that worships them, they help develop moral values and can be an outlet for strong emotions and actions. They provide a unique look into the cultures moral values and helps us better understand the Ancient world.
PARRISH 4
