Beschrijving
The Spirit in the Bottle. A man (son of a woodcutter, smith, fisherman, soldier) frees an evil spirit from a vessel (bottle) out of curiosity (because he was asked by the spirit) [R181]. The spirit (which stretches out to an enormous height,) wants to take revenge for being locked for so long, and threatens to kill his rescuer. The man tricks the spirit: He pretends he does not believe that the spirit could grow small again and thus induces him to go back into the vessel [K717]. The man stoppers the bottle and the spirit is trapped.
In some variants, he is released again in return for a gift (wonderful remedy, magic power [D1240, D2102]). Cf. Types 155, 735A.
In some variants, he is released again in return for a gift (wonderful remedy, magic power [D1240, D2102]). Cf. Types 155, 735A.
Motief
R181
K717
D1240
D2102
Commentaar
Oriental origin (Jewish and Arabian). First documented in Europe in the Middle Ages.
Combinaties
155, 330, and 332.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
331
Subgenre
sprookje