Trickster

The Trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who exhibits a great degree of intellect or secret knowledge and uses it to play tricks or otherwise disobey normal rules and conventional behaviour. It is suggested by Hansen (2001) that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this context by Daniel G. Brinton in 1885.

Description
In modern literature the trickster survives as a character archetype, not necessarily supernatural or divine, sometimes no more than a stock character. Often too, the Trickster is distinct in a story by his acting as a sort of catalyst, in that his antics are the cause of other characters' discomfiture, but he himself is left untouched.

In later folklore, the trickster/clown is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. He also is known for entertaining people as a clown does.

Folklore/Mythology

 * The Devil (Judeo-Christian Folklore)
 * Coyote (American Folklore)
 * Raven (American Folklore)
 * Jack Frost (American Folklore)
 * Anansi (African Folklore)
 * Hermes/Mercury (Greco-Roman Mythology)

Literature

 * Peter Pan (Peter Pan)
 * Sun Wukong (Journey to the West)

Film

 * Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)