erl-king
Definition
Noun: - A malevolent supernatural being in Germanic mythology: The "erl-king" is a legendary figure, often depicted as a king of the elves or a spirit of the forest, who lures children to their doom, typically by enticing them with promises or by causing them harm. This figure is most famously known from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's ballad "Der Erlkönig" (The Erl-King).
Usage Examples
- (A mythical being that preys on the young.)
- (The supernatural antagonist in the narrative.)
Advanced Usage
- "The Erl-King as a literary motif": In literature and music, the erl-king often symbolizes death, temptation, or the dangers of the natural world.
- The erl-king's whisper is a metaphor for the seductive pull of oblivion. (Used figuratively to represent a deadly allure.)
Variants and Related Words
- Erlkönig (n, German): The original German term for the erl-king, used in Goethe's poem.
- Schubert's musical setting of "Erlkönig" is a masterpiece of Romantic art. (The German name for the figure.)
- Elf-king (n): An alternative English translation or synonym for erl-king.
- The elf-king rules over a shadowy realm in the forest. (A variant name for the same being.)
Synonyms
- Elf-king: a king of elves, often used interchangeably with erl-king.
- Wood-spirit: a supernatural entity associated with forests, though not always malevolent.
- Death-figure: a personification of death, as the erl-king is often interpreted.
Related Idioms
- "The erl-king's call": A phrase used to describe an irresistible but dangerous temptation or lure.
- He felt the erl-king's call in the allure of the forbidden. (An idiom for a fatal attraction.)
Cultural Notes
- The erl-king originates from Danish folklore, where "ellerkonge" means "king of the elves." The figure was popularized by Goethe's 1782 ballad "Der Erlkönig," later set to music by Franz Schubert. In the poem, the erl-king tries to seduce a dying child, representing the struggle between life and death.