(New page: In German and Scandinavian folklore, an '''erlking''' is a mischievous or malevolent sprite. ==Etymology== The word, meaning "elf king", derives from German "Erlkönig" and Danish "Ellek...) |
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*Jim Butcher's novel "Dead Beat" of the Dresden Files series has the hero Harry Dresden face off against the Erlking, who is a powerful fey being that leads the Wild Hunt. | *Jim Butcher's novel "Dead Beat" of the Dresden Files series has the hero Harry Dresden face off against the Erlking, who is a powerful fey being that leads the Wild Hunt. | ||
[[Category: | [[Category: German mythology]] | ||
[[Category: Ghosts]] | [[Category: Ghosts]] | ||
Revision as of 08:35, 8 August 2007
In German and Scandinavian folklore, an erlking is a mischievous or malevolent sprite.
Etymology
The word, meaning "elf king", derives from German "Erlkönig" and Danish "Ellekonge". In English the name became erlking.
Behavior
Erlkings often exercise a fatal influence, especially on children by means of alluring promises or visions that led to destruction. The Erlking has been interpreted as being a singular being, rather than a collective term, and has also been equated with the devil.
Art / Fiction
- The Erlkönig was introduced into German poetry in 1778 through the translation by Johann Gottfried von Herder of a Danish ballad. Herder mistranslated the title as "king of the alders" rather than "king of the elves."
- Goethe wrote a ballad, "Der Erlkönig", which has been set to music by Franz Schubert, one of the most famous Romantic lieder. The ballad was translated into Russian by Vasily Zhukovsky.
- In the anthology Nocturnes by Irish writer John Connolly, there is a short story entitled "The Erlking" that tells of how the creature tries to ensnare a young boy.
- Angela Carter also wrote a short story called "The Erl-King." In her version, it is a human woman the elf enchants. She plots to murder her captor, even knowing that his death will only pull her deeper under his spell.
- Jim Butcher's novel "Dead Beat" of the Dresden Files series has the hero Harry Dresden face off against the Erlking, who is a powerful fey being that leads the Wild Hunt.