Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/273



—The frequency with which "The Widow's Son" appears as the hero of folk-tale and folk-song has often excited remark, and appears to require some explanation. This may, perhaps, be attempted in a comparison of the Greek songs and tales dealing with the exploits of this character.

In this song a hero named Digenes is represented as possessing superhuman strength, and as having for his companions the Drake's son, and Tremantahielos, "who shakes the earth and kosmos".

In this tristich all nature is represented as sympathetically affected by the death-throes of the hero.

Digenes is here represented as a widow's son, who alone is valiant enough to accept the challenge of Charon to a wrestling-match, and who is vanquished only by trickery on the part of his opponent.

These two heroes fight with, and slay a monster (Stoicheion) which has destroyed every champion hardy enough to attack it.