Trickster Extraordinaire

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Author's Notes: I completed this Double Dactyl write on June 8, 2016. Under the title, "Trickster Extraordinaire," it concerns the legendary 12th century medieval clown, prankster, jester, trickster, and all-together classical flimflam artist known as "Till Eulenspiegel" who was born in Kneitlingen near Braunschweig in what is present day northern Germany. Needless to say, Till Eulenspiegel is a rather colorful historical character to many Germans and other Europeans today. He is even historically known by his various tales in Great Britain under the name: "Mister Owlglass." Till Eulenspiegel was famous for his literal interpretation of the figurative language of the various people he ran into during his rather eventful and prank-filled life. He even managed, for example, to trick a local baker by preparing morning roll confections for his bakery in likenesses of both "owls and monkeys." Till was essentially following the literal words of the baker himself, when the baker told him to just go ahead and bake owls and monkeys. (I allude to this in the first verse of this poem rendered in German: "Eulen und Meerkatzen," which means "Owls and Monkeys," and references this particular prank among many, many others that occurred in various tales during Eulenspiegel's adventurous life.) Most people don't know about Till Eulenspiegel unless they've studied aspects of medieval German history and literature. In that world, he is very well remembered for fooling and deceiving people by playing to their sense of inflated self-worth, vanity, and gullibility. Professor Paul Oppenheimer, in his book, "Till Eulenspiegel: His Adventures," published in 1995 by Oxford University Press, rendered a masterful interpretation and translation into English of Till Eulenspiegel's legendary adventures. It's worth a read if the reader is interested in more details about this fascinating flimflam character from medieval Germany. (Note: There are other authored sources to be found as well, in German, on Till Eulenspiegel.)  (Gary Bateman - June 11, 2016) (Double Dactyl)   

Categories: allegory, fun, hilarious, humorous, hyperbole, symbolism, and vanity.

Trickster Extraordinaire 
 
Eulen und Meerkatzen
Till Eulenspiegel
Medieval Clown
Fooled them all.

Mirrored people’s vanity
Physiognomonic 
Judge of humanity
Wasn’t hard at all.

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved,
June 8, 2016 (Double Dactyl)

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 6/18/2016 8:11:00 AM
With your notes Gary raised this piece to a whole new level excellent pen pal wishing you and yours a glorious beautiful weekend
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/19/2016 12:16:00 PM
Thanks Liam Mate!! Glad you enjoyed this Double Dactyl write. Cheers, Gary
Date: 6/15/2016 3:43:00 PM
Clever piece and interesting history.
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/15/2016 4:37:00 PM
Thanks so much Rich!! I'm very pleased you liked this particular write. It is indeed a very interesting slice of history!! Cheers and Best Always, Gary
Date: 6/11/2016 1:55:00 PM
Hi G!This is an outstanding n' very humorous, fun poem, that you've penned here in this Double Dactyl style,my dear friend Gary!:))Very beautifully written in this fun theme and style.It made me smile G:) Well done!Just awesome! Excellent piece!I enjoyed it all and your notes about this very famous, Medieval clown and pransker are just fantastic!Golden pen!A 7+! A fav.Sending my love n' prayers to you and Ingrid.Just take good care of each other now.All the best to you always,G!Spill ink!:))Wishing you a very lovely weekend!In His light God bless you always!:)D
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/11/2016 6:03:00 PM
Thanks so much Dear One "D"!! The Double Dactyl style can be challenging, yet fun to put together. (I've written a number of them in the past.) Thanks for the TR/FAV which is very kind of you!! I hope all is well on your end. I'm intermittently away at times working on prose writes, but I still find time for poetry too -- of course!! I always enjoy your writes too "D" so much!! Best Wishes from Ingrid and me!! Spill Ink Always!! Cheers, "G"
Date: 6/11/2016 12:30:00 PM
Very different style I have never seen this form before - love the humour and thanks for the informative notes:-) hugs Jan xx
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/11/2016 6:08:00 PM
Hello Jan . . . Thanks for your read and your nice note. I've actually written a series of these Double Dactyl writes over the last two years since I've been with the Soup. They can interesting to put together. You should try one. I thought the info notes would help since Till Eulenspiegel is a somewhat arcane character from medieval Germany, although he known in our local area here in Germany. Best Wishes, Gary
Date: 6/11/2016 12:19:00 PM
- A unique writing from you, dear Gary .... I love it ... thanks for a smile from you :) - Hope all is well with you and Ingrid - I wish you a blessed and wonderful weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Gary Bateman
Date: 6/11/2016 6:11:00 PM
Hello Dear Anne-Lise . . . I've not forgotten you. I've been away for a short while finishing up another short story (and not another novella!!). All is well with Ingrid and me. We both wish you too a wonderful weekend!! Cheers and Best, Gary
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