Beschrijving
Puss in Boots. An animal (cat [B211.1.8, B422], fox [B435.1], jackal [B435.2], monkey [B441.1], etc.) intends to help a poor man (out of obligation) to become rich (by marrying him to the princess) [B580, B581, B582.1.1]. In order to gain the emperor’s confidence, the animal tells him that the poor man is very wealthy [K1917.3]. When the poorly dressed future bridegroom travels to his bride’s residence, the animal simulates an accident (robbery), in which all his clothes (horses, bride presents, wedding guests) are lost [K1952.1.1]. Thereupon the king gives the poor man good clothes and he is accepted as a bridegroom.
When the man has to display his property, the animal leaves before him and coerces the shepherds and farmers to say that their herds and farmland belong to the poor man. The animal kills the real owner of the properties, a demon (dragon, ogre, giant, witch, magician) by burning, slaying, shooting or through a trick [F771.4.1, K722]. When the bride arrives with her entourage, the bridegroom presents himself as the real owner of the property.
The animal tests the gratitude of the poor man by feigning death (it becomes a human when it is decapitated [D711]).
In some variants the man behaves ungrateful or does not keep his promise.
When the man has to display his property, the animal leaves before him and coerces the shepherds and farmers to say that their herds and farmland belong to the poor man. The animal kills the real owner of the properties, a demon (dragon, ogre, giant, witch, magician) by burning, slaying, shooting or through a trick [F771.4.1, K722]. When the bride arrives with her entourage, the bridegroom presents himself as the real owner of the property.
The animal tests the gratitude of the poor man by feigning death (it becomes a human when it is decapitated [D711]).
In some variants the man behaves ungrateful or does not keep his promise.
Motief
B211.1.8
B422
B435.1
B435.2
B441.1
B580
B581
B582.1.1
K1917.3
K1952.1.1
F771.4.1
K722
D711
Commentaar
Very similar to Type 545A, esp. in its single motifs. Variants of Types 545A and 545B are often mixed with each other or they are not clearly differentiated. Earliest literary versions see Basile, Pentamerone (II,4) and Straparola, Piacevoli notti (XI,1); important literary version see Charles Perrault, Le Maître de Chat ou Le Chat botté (1697).
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
545B
Subgenre
sprookje