Household Tales · Character

the Devil

A bargain-hunting tempter who trades wealth for souls, then finds himself outwitted by a pious girl's tears and a father's terrible obedience.

supporting

Also known as The Devil, Stupid Devil

First appearance: The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs

As a supporting figure in Household Tales, the Devil is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The infernal being whose three golden hairs are sought; he reveals answers to the riddles in his sleep.

In the storyThe Devil with the Three Golden HairsOpen this moment free

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He corners the miller at the mill with promises of treasure, claiming what stands behind it — and returns three years later to collect the daughter. His power collapses against her washed hands, her weeping, and finally her maimed arms, exposing a creditor who cannot seize what he cannot soil. His escalating demands — no water, then no hands — drive the story's central rupture between father and child.

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The fuller portrait of the Devil sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See the Devil in The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs

Character Web

32 connections

A slice of how the Devil sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Folkloric Character Archetypes

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the sisters, driven by envy of the Queen’s beauty and their o…

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In the story

the Devil appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs
The infernal being whose three golden hairs are sought; he reveals answers to the riddles in his sleep.
The Girl Without Hands
The evil stranger who tricks the miller and tries to claim the girl.
Brother Lustig
The ninth devil who escaped from Brother Lustig's knapsack and later prevents him from entering Hell.
The Devil's Sooty Brother
Appears as a little man in the forest, hires the soldier for seven years of service in hell, and later helps him recover his stolen gold.
Bearskin
The tempter who offers wealth in exchange for seven years of unkempt living and no prayer; he appears in a green coat with a cloven foot and later claims the souls of the two jealous sisters.
The Three Apprentices
Disguised as a richly-dressed man, the Devil tempts the three apprentices with wealth and sets the terms of their speech; later appears as a nobleman to save them from execution and claim the innkeeper's soul.
The Devil and His Grandmother
Disguised as a dragon, he makes a pact with three soldiers, offering them gold in exchange for seven years of service, and sets a riddle for their freedom.
The Lord’s Animals and the Devil’s
Creates goats with long tails, later bites off their tails and puts his own eyes in them after being tricked by the Lord.
The Peasant and the Devil
The Devil appears sitting on a treasure in the peasant's field and makes a bargain for half the harvest, but is tricked twice by the peasant's clever sowing choices.
The Grave-Mound
The Evil One who comes to claim the rich man's soul but is tricked by the soldier and forced to flee at sunrise.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for the Devil unlock in the free preview.

See the Devil in The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs