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''Rumpelstiltskin'' is a dwarf Character in a Fairy Tale of the same name that originated in Germany (where he is known as ''Rumpelstilzchen''). The tale was collected by the Grimm Brothers who first published it in the 1812 edition of '' Children's And Household Tales ''. It was subsequently revised in later editions until the finalized version was published in 1857 . PLOT SYNOPSIS In order to make himself appear more important, a Mill er lied to the King that his Daughter could Spin Straw into Gold . The king called for the girl, shut her in a tower room with straw and a Spinning Wheel , and demanded that she spin the straw into gold by morning. Failure to do so would result in her (or in some versions her father's) execution. She had given up all hope, when a Dwarf (or ''mannikin'') appeared in the room and spun straw into gold for her in return for her necklace; then again the following night for her ring. But on the third night, with nothing left, the strange creature spun straw into gold for a promise that the girl's first-born child would become his. The greedy king was so impressed that he married the miller's beautiful daughter, but when their first child was born, the dwarf returned to claim his payment: "Now give me what you promised". The queen was frightened and offered him all the wealth she had if she could keep the child. The dwarf refused but finally agreed to give up his claim to the child if the queen could guess his name in three days. At first she failed, but before the second night, her messenger overheard the dwarf hopping about his fire and singing: "Today I bake, tomorrow brew, The next I'll have the young Queen's child. Ha! glad am I that no one knew That Other versions of the song go: "Tomorrow I brew, today I bake, And then the child away I'll take; For little deems my royal dame That and: "Today I brew, today I bake, Tomorrow the Queen's own child I take; This guessing-game she'll never win, For my name is When the dwarf came to the queen on the third day and she revealed his name, Rumpelstiltskin lost his bargain. In the Brothers Grimm version, he then tore himself apart in his rage. In the traditional, pre-Grimm ending, he flew out of the window on a cooking Ladle . In more recent versions (after crying that "a witch" has betrayed him), Rumplestiltskin stamped his foot so hard that it became stuck between the floorboards. After pulling it free, he stormed out of the palace and "was never seen again". ORIGINS The name ''Rumpelstilzchen'' in German means literally "little rattle stilt". (A ''stilt'' is a post or pole providing support for a structure.) A ''rumpelstilt'' or ''rumpelstilz'' ("rattle stilt") was the name of a type of Goblin , also called a ''pophart'' or ''poppart'' ("rapper" or "thumper") that makes noises by rattling posts and rapping on planks, similar to a ''rumpelgeist'' ("rattle ghost") or '' Poltergeist '' ("noisy ghost"), a mischievous spirit that clatters and moves household objects. (Other related concepts are ''mummarts'' or '' Boggart s'' that are mischievous household spirits that disguise themselves.) The earliest known mention of Rumplestiltskin occurs in Johann Fischart 's ''Geschichtklitterung, or Gargantua'' of 1577 (a loose adaptation of Rabelais' '' Gargantua And Pantagruel '') which refers to an "amusement" for children named "''Rumpele stilt'' or the ''Poppart''". IN OTHER LANGUAGES ''Rumpelstiltskin'' is known by a variety of names in a number of other Language s:
ANALYSIS The story of ''Rumpelstiltskin'' is an example of Aarne And Thompson's Folklore Type 500 (''The Name of the Helper''; see links below). Other fairy tale themes in the story include the ''Impossible Task'', the ''Hard Bargain'', the ''Changeling Child'', and above all, the ''Secret Name''. ''Rumpelstiltskin'' is most commonly interpreted as a cautionary tale against bragging (compare with the concept of '' Hubris '' in Greek Mythology ), but in this case not the miller himself but rather his daughter is punished for his lies. An alternative explanation is that the tale could have been meant to teach women the importance of performing a supporting role in their later marriage. The gift of spinning straw into gold is seen here as a metaphor for the value of household skills. Indeed, the king in this tale does not seem to be interested in the girl besides her magical capabilities — even though her beauty is mentioned in passing — and she exists only to bring him riches and bear his children. INFLUENCE Rumplestiltskin Syndrome is an analogical reference to the role of the king in the story of Rumpelstiltskin. Common practice in middle-management is to impose unreasonable work demands on subordinates. Upon completion of the task or tasks in question, equal or higher work demands are then imposed, moreover no credit, acknowledgement, or overt appreciation is demonstrated by way of recognition. PETER AND IONA OPIE -- Two researchers, ). It is unclear if the Opie Theory is reliable. It is to be noted that the Opies specify the feature of Rumpelstiltskin getting his foot stuck in the floor as a vestigial remnant of the more distressing 'plugging' of the miller' daughter: some versions of the Grimm Tale have the foot-in-the-floor feature. --commented out the preceding,: see above--> SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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