Beschrijving
The Shift of Sex. A king who has only (three) daughters must send a son to war (needs a son for other reasons). The daughters ask to be allowed to pretend to be men, but only the youngest passes tests which her father sets. He gives her magic objects (a horse) and she goes to the war.
In some variants a queen has only daughters and, afraid of her husband’s anger, pretends that the youngest is a boy. Or for other reasons a woman disguises herself as a man and goes out into the world.
The woman in man’s clothing [K1837] accomplishes heroic deeds and/or goes into service with a king. The daughter (sister) of the king falls in love with her and wants to marry her. The woman in man’s clothing refuses, or the marriage is unconsumated. In order to get rid of the “servant/husband”, impossible tasks are set. The woman is able to accomplish these with the help of a helper (several helpers, the horse). Cf. Types 461, 465, 513A–513C.
In some variants the tests concern the gender of the “servant,” which had been doubted. For example, her manner of eating and her behavior in a garden are tested, or she is asked to bathe with the brothers of the princess.
At the end of the tale, the woman in man’s clothing is transformed into a man. This happens either through a demon’s curse [D11] or a saint’s help, seldom by accident. Then the princess is happy with her husband and the former woman becomes king. Her parents are happy that finally they have a real son.
In some variants a queen has only daughters and, afraid of her husband’s anger, pretends that the youngest is a boy. Or for other reasons a woman disguises herself as a man and goes out into the world.
The woman in man’s clothing [K1837] accomplishes heroic deeds and/or goes into service with a king. The daughter (sister) of the king falls in love with her and wants to marry her. The woman in man’s clothing refuses, or the marriage is unconsumated. In order to get rid of the “servant/husband”, impossible tasks are set. The woman is able to accomplish these with the help of a helper (several helpers, the horse). Cf. Types 461, 465, 513A–513C.
In some variants the tests concern the gender of the “servant,” which had been doubted. For example, her manner of eating and her behavior in a garden are tested, or she is asked to bathe with the brothers of the princess.
At the end of the tale, the woman in man’s clothing is transformed into a man. This happens either through a demon’s curse [D11] or a saint’s help, seldom by accident. Then the princess is happy with her husband and the former woman becomes king. Her parents are happy that finally they have a real son.
Motief
K1837
D11
Commentaar
Great variety of motifs in different episodes. Some variants lack the change of sex. Some motifs appear in earlier Oriental tales, but literary versions of this type first appear in the 17th/18th century.
Combinaties
884.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
514
Subgenre
sprookje