Tricky Situation Trivia Quiz

Answer: Loki

Although Loki's lineage in Norse mythology is a bit hazy due to various inconsistencies in old texts, he's certainly one of the most popular; you'd probably remember him in a top five list of Norse Gods. It's not hard to see why, since Loki's tales of trickery are common. Able to shift his form at will, Loki is sly and cunning, often creating problems for mortals and gods alike, often for his own amusement.

Although the Loki of the Marvel comic book series "Thor" (and, yes, "The Avengers") is said to be adopted by Odin, there is no mention of that in the true mythology.

Answer: Anansi

Originating in West Africa, but also appearing in Caribbean folklore over time, Anansi is known to be a spider who, through various means, receives powers from the gods to complete odd jobs. Although his actual appearance is hard to pin down, some stories tell the tale of a talking spider, but others personify him as a man with spider-like qualities (including four pairs of legs). Anansi is considered by many to be a storyteller, so it somewhat goes hand-in-hand that he's a trickster as well, weaving stories to get his way and reap the benefits of the gods.

It's because of this, perhaps, that many believe he created the world.

Answer: Maui

Mâui, as a figure of legend, is innately tied to New Zealand's history and folklore because he created both the North and the South Island, allegedly catching the giant fish that became the North and dragging his canoe (the South Island) behind it. This is why the South Island is also known as Te Waka a Mâui. Mâui was particularly resourceful because, like most other trickster figures, he had the power to shape-shift into animals to suit his wants and needs.

This is how he brought fire to the mortals, dredged up the lands, and made an almost laughable attempt to bring immortality to the islands.

The story of Mâui persists in several Polynesian locales; in Hawaii he is also said to have tricked his brothers and dredged the Hawaiian islands up from the sea.

Answer: Kitsune

There are some interesting stories involving Japanese folklore and foxes as symbols of both deception and reliability (even though those are two characteristics that wouldn't normally go together). On one hand, kitsune are shapeshifters, capable of transforming between fox and human at will, but on the other they're also said to be creatures that seduce men and bear their children, going on as loving partners until the truth comes out.

It's hard to tell the true motives of the kitsune; they can be vengeful and malevolent or helpful, depending on what they feel is the wisest course of action.

Answer: Coyote

Another wily creature, the coyote seems to hold power over people in a number of stories from Native American and Mexican tribes and in some cases, the coyote has the magical powers of the gods. It is, perhaps, the stories themselves that give the coyote its power since the deception is in his varied roles-- to the people of the plains he can be seen as a God while to the indigenous people of the northwest he's no more than a fore-bearer of news.

As always, this mythical trickster is seen as a shapeshifter, able to change his form to get what he wants, for good or bad.

Answer: Br'er Rabbit

Found in the stories of Uncle Remus, Br'er Rabbit seems to pull much of his inspiration from Western African folklore, though his stories tend to reflect the plight of the African-American slave in the 19th century. Br'er Rabbit was known for taking extreme measures, often provoking attackers, to free himself from sticky situations.

Some of his stories can be seen in the Disney film "Song of the South", though many would argue that due to its social content, it hasn't really held up. It's said that elements of Br'er Rabbit's stories come from oral retellings of Native American tales, particularly those of the Cherokee and Algonquin, because of their reverence for the rabbit.

Answer: Satyr

Early satyrs were brusque and dangerous creatures in Greek myth, though over time they softened to be more childlike (and faun-like); the most famous would probably be Pan (the God of nature) and the faun Mr. Tumnus from "The Chronicles of Narnia". Although more contemporary satyrs are known for being playful and mischievous, their northern counterpart, the Leshy, was known for tricking people into the forest so that they could get lost forever.

The term 'satyr play' was used for a comedic, but highly-sexual performance from Greek times. Back then, satyr tricks were of a more sexual nature.

Answer: Shinto

Also known as Susanoo-no-Mikoto, this God was banished from Heaven for the destruction he wrought on people using his storm powers. Much of his trickery was done to other bad creatures in his own tales though he's known for partaking in foolish games with his sister Amaterasu, in turn creating a number of deities with her. Susanoo is also known for slaying an eight-headed dragon, cutting off its heads after getting it drunk on sake, in order to claim a wife.

Answer: Sun Wukong

Sun Wukong, whose quest is featured in the folk story "Journey to the West", is an interesting character to follow because his journey across China and into India sees its fair share of noble acts and playful follies. While Sun Wukong can be a fierce warrior when the need arises, he comes to the understanding that his earlier bad deeds, often stemming from his own arrogance and tendency to dodge labour, require atonement, so there's a balancing act seen between Wukong's burgeoning maturity and his wiliness. That said, his eagerness to serve his own wants often outshines reason; Wukong often kills without remorse or thought in the tales (though sometimes he does make wise decisions) to accomplish his goals.

Answer: Huchuecoyotl

Huçhuecoyôtl, one of the many Gods of Pre-Columbian Mexico, has the appearance of a part-man-part-coyote figure (again with the tricky coyotes in North/Central America!). Unlike many of the other trickster gods from around the world, Huçhuecoyôtl isn't inherently bad; he's actually comparatively balanced, and his frequent pranks, performed on both humans and immortals, don't often amount to much in the way of mischief.

As with most tricksters, he was also able to change shape at will (though many Gods in his line were able to).