Bibliotheca Arnamagnæana - 01.06.1966, Page 158

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Motif-Index of Early Icelandic Literature
H561.9. Clever prince interprets enigmatic statements. J>jJ6n 10 (3) ch. 3.
H580. Enigmatic statements. Apparently senseless remarks (or acts) interpreted fig-
uratively prove wise.
H582. Riddling answers betray theft or adultery.
H582.3. Woman's question to her husband disguised as woman, how many men she had
in one night. This is properly understood as, how many helpers he had, and
answered by lifting ten fingers. f>idr II 118.
H584. Other riddling answers. FriStø III 5, XI 8 (FAS II 67-68, 91, 490, 499).
H588. Enigmatic counsels of a father. HrolfKr 36 ch. 14 (FAS I 36); Kongab 12.
H588.10. Father's counsel: don’t stay too late with a concubine, nor tell her any
secret. Cf. J21. Herv 37, cf. 48-51, 116, 125-27 (FAS I 447, 460-61).
H591. Extraordinary actions explained.
H591.3. Man cuts hooks for the revenge of his father (Amleth). Amb 72-80, 162-68
ch. 13-14, 34 (33); Saxo lib. III c. VI 6 = Herrm 249, 261, 272, 282.
H595. Enigmatic welcome of host.
H595.1. Symbolic invitation to continued liberality. Brands b- orva in FMS VI 349-50
(Fjfsl 13-14). Cf. Gautr 37, 62 ff. (FAS III41-17); HaraldHårf in Flb III410-15:
Audunn vestfirzki; HrolfKr 84-85 ch. 28 = Saxo lib. II c. VI12 = Herrm 179-80:
Voggr.
H599. Other enigmatic statements.
H599.2. Enigmatic statements of a sham mad man (Amleth). Amb 80-90 ch. 14;
Saxo lib. III c. VI 6 ff. = Herrm 255 ff.
H600. Symbolic interpretations. Cf. H82.5.
H601. Wise carving of the fowl. Mågus 3 ch. 2, cf. introd. lxxxix; Kohler-Bolte II 646.
H607. Discussion by symbols. Sign language.
H607.1. Discussion between priest and Jew carried on by symbols. E. g., priest raises
three fingers (Trinity); Jew raises arm (one God); etc. Cf. Gering 1239-44: between
Roman fool and wise Greek; the Greek understands the fool’s answers as wisdom.
H900-1199. TESTS OF PROWESS: TASKS
H900-999. ASSIGNMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF TASKS
H900-949. Assignment of tasks
H900. Tasks imposed.
H901. Tasks imposed on pain of death. IllGr 652-53 ch. 3; VilhSj 14-22 ch. 7-10.
H901.1. Heads placed on stakes for failure in performance of task. Cf. P555.2; Q421.1.
Vilm ch. 3; Gibbon 23 ch. 6.
H910. Assignment of tasks in response to suggestion.
H911. Tasks assigned at suggestion of jealous rivals. Cf. H1219.6. OrmSt 531-32;
ClåfTr in Flb 1456 ff. (Eindrida b. ilbreids), cf. FSS xcvi-vii; HålfdBr 581-88 ch.
11-15; OOdd 150-67 (ch. XXXIX-XL; FAS II 265-82, 544-51); Dehmer 23.
H915. Tasks assigned because of giri’s (boy's) own foolish boast. Cf. H1161.2.1;
Hl 199.8. MagnusS ch. 27 in Hkr III 302; ForstUxaf and OrmSt in Flb I 261-63,
532 (FMS III 131-33 and 226, Fjfsl 463-64, 220-21); Dehmer 23.
H920. Assigners of tasks.