TRICKSTERS

TRICKSTERS ARE EVERYWHERE AND IN EVERYONE, EVEN YOU! Trickery or deceit, though not necessarily a virtue, is as natural, effective and well-proven device to humans, plants, beasts, or fish, as virtue itself. It is also as common. Babies do it. Bible characters like David, Gideon, and Jacob (whose name means 'trickster') have done it, and had it done to them. Queen Elizabeth is reputed to have said that lying was a vital part of diplomacy. The indigenes of America said about Europeans' treaties and promises: that white men speak with forked tongue. Hannibal of Carthage deceived Rome by crossing the Alps with elephants, which the Iberians thought was impossible, after faking a landing by sea. African American literature's "Brer' Rabbit" stories are full of triumphant tricks and tricksters. Most famously, though, deceit or trickery is represented by the Trojan Horse. The Greeks rescued victory from the jaws of defeat, by reason of this wooden horse ruse filled with soldiers. The Trojans thought that horse to be a tribute to their prowess and victory, as they saw the Greek ships preparing to sail away in apparent defeat. So, the Trojans opened their previously impregnable gates to receive the Greek gift'. They later slipped out of their sinecure and routed the Trojans who were weakened with wine from the riotous feasting of a deceitful victory that ended in Troy's defeat. In short everyone and everything has a little deceitfulness in it and in them.