Reference no: EM133651562

Question: Why are tricksters so common in our modern world? Why do we celebrate and, in some senses, worship tricksters, both fictional and real? What does it say about humanity that we are intrigued and enchanted by misbehavior? Provide examples to support your answers-these can be fictional/mythological characters or real people.

Although both Aja the Dog and Ajapa the Tortoise are thieves and both are brought before the oba (judge) for their crimes, only Ajapa the Tortoise is exiled from the community. Partially, of course, this is because Aja the Dog is so clever in deceiving the oba and everyone else, but that still doesn't negate the fact that he is also a thief. Why, then, does Aja get to stay in the village while Ajapa is exiled with the threat of death if he returns? What do you think the Yoruba are saying with regards to theft? (That is, is it okay to steal in their culture? Why or why not?)

In "The Friendship of Eshu and Orunmila," Orunmila fakes his death so that he can see who his true friends are. All of his other companions come to Orunmila's wife seeking the divining tray with which one can determine the future. Eshu alone seems truly sad at the death of Orunmila, even though they were often rivals, and understands that the true gift was not in the divining tray but in the mind of Orunmila. This leads Orunmila to state that "You, Eshu, are my true friend." But is this a trick on behalf of Eshu? He is a trickster, and we've already seen that he has no scruples in getting what he wants (ala, pushing people out of the way to get more powers).

Is Eshu genuine in his mourning for Orunmila, or do you think that the trickster recognizes a trick and using this as an opportunity to gain a powerful friend? In short, do you think Eshu's grief is genuine or not? Why or why not?