Haven Graper

HUM130_83

September 20, 2019

Hynes’ Characteristics in the Myth of Maui

In “Mapping the Characteristics of Mythic Tricksters: A Heuristic Guide” by William J. Hynes,

tricksters in myths from different cultures can essentially be broken down into 6 traits. Not all tricksters

possess every one of these traits and they can vary from myth to myth, but these six traits seem to be

reoccurring characteristics seen in many trickster myths from different cultures. The six Hynes’

characteristics of a mythical trickster are that they are ambiguous and anomalous, deceivers and trick

players, shapeshifters, situation inverters, messengers and imitator of the gods, and sacred and lewd

bricoleurs. Each of these character traits can be explained through the example of the Hawaiian myth

of Maui.

The first listed of Hynes’ Characteristics is that tricksters tend to be ambiguous and anomalous.

In the myth of Maui there is great ambiguity in Maui’s character because his purpose is unclear. He is

not a god but not quite human. This “in-between” causes a lack of clarity of Maui’s place in the world. In

stories of tricksters there is a wavering line of whether they are doing things for good, bad, or no certain

reasons at all. This can also lead them to be anomalous as tricksters may act out of the norm, as they

like to challenge set beliefs and traditions. This means that mythic tricksters can be unpredictable and

spontaneous. They tend to deviate and take the road less traveled in a sense.

The second trait is more of an obvious one, being that they are deceivers and trick-players.

Tricksters tend to fool others with lying, cheating and of course tricks. An example of this is when Maui

fools the guards by walking on his hands and feet, as they were to capture any creature walking upright
on two feet like a man. Deceiving and playing tricks is how tricksters control the situations they are in,

but these tricks can sometimes grow out of the hands of its originators. In Maui’s case his tricks to steal

immortality are ironically what leads to his death.

The next characteristic is that they tend to be shapeshifters. They commonly take forms of

animals and even can change from a male human to a female human. This ability can help the character

in their means of deceiving whether it be for the greater good, disruption, destruction, personal

interests, or even just amusement. Maui used shapeshifting to disguise himself and his brothers when

trying to gain immortality for himself and mortal humans. He also shapeshifts into an eel when chasing

a girl up a breadfruit tree. Both of these instances resulted in his death. This further shows how the

tricksters’ tactics of deceiving, in this case through shapeshifting, can turn back on them.

Hynes also states that mythical tricksters are situation-inverters. Nothing is set in stone for a

trickster whether that be traditions that are sacred or the hierarchy of an all-powerful god. Tricksters

see no boundaries and to a trickster nothing is too great to be overturned. They are often a catalyst for

change and disruption of natural order and societal laws. This character trait is evident with Maui’s story

as he tries to change the laws of life by achieving immortality and gifting it to mankind. He fails which

explains why we all still experience death today. He will not accept inevitable death no matter how

certain it is and refuses to accept his fate.

Maui is also a good example of being a messenger or imitator of the gods as he is a Demi god.

Tricksters are sometimes those who carry the messages between humans and the gods and often are

the link between mankind and gods in different myths. Sometimes the messages can become confused

or changed due to carelessness or intentions of the trickster. Maui stealing fire from the gods and

gifting it to humans, makes him a messenger and culture hero because he gave humans something

they need to survive. This also defers the blame off of humans and onto Maui as they have indirectly

possessed things from gods, as they themselves didn’t steal. Also, Maui pulled up and created islands
the humans inhabit. These can be an example of imitating a god. Many tricksters wish to be gods

themselves, so they tend to commit acts that make them feel they have the power of a god.

Lastly tricksters can be sacred and lewd bricoleurs. Tricksters tend to challenge social norms or

accepted ways of life in a culture. Tricksters are known to almost strive to go against the beliefs and

accepted norms of others. They are a reminder of the boundary’s societies have and what is scared and

held dear, since they are constantly trying to push or break them. Also, they can be lewd meaning they

can be offensive in a sexual way. This is clear in the sexual imagery of a women’s genitals in the myth of

Maui when he is trying to steal immortality from the body of Hine-nui-te-po-the and tells his brothers

not to laugh.

In conclusion, Hynes’ characteristics of mythical tricksters helps to develop an idea of these

types of characters and can help us to identify them in myths, whether they possess all of these traits or

just a few. The immorality, morality, or amorality of a trickster is what leads them to act upon situations

by deploying deceiving tricks, shapeshifting, and inverting situations while also being a messenger or

imitators of the gods and sacred or lewd bricoleurs. Conflicting traits and morals in these types of

characters can portray the mythic trickster as ambiguous and anomalous, lacking clear purpose and

causing them to have a tendency to challenge the norms.