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{{performer|Jerry Nelson}} |
{{performer|Jerry Nelson}} |
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[[Image:Character.thedevil.jpg|frame]] |
[[Image:Character.thedevil.jpg|frame]] |
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| + | {{otheruses|Demons and Devils}} |
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| − | '''The Devil''' is, in many cultures, the central embodiment of evil usually referenced as a rebellious demon who is the enemy of [[The Boss|God]]. Amongst his many names, he has been called Satan, the "Prince of Darkness," Beelzebub, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, and most commonly, |
+ | '''The Devil''' is, in many cultures, the central embodiment of evil usually referenced as a rebellious demon who is the enemy of [[The Boss|God]]. Amongst his many names, he has been called Satan, the "Prince of Darkness," Beelzebub, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, and most commonly, the Devil (in some literature implying that amongst a myriad of devils, he is the primary). In many cultures, he is recognized in visual form as having been derived from the Greek gods Pan and Dionysus in appearance and modus operandi. The devil is often seen as the proprietor of [[Hell]]. |
| − | As seen in [[Episode 420: Alan Arkin|episode 420]] of ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' in a recreation of the Charlie Daniels Band song "[[The Devil Went Down to Georgia]] |
+ | As seen in [[Episode 420: Alan Arkin|episode 420]] of ''[[The Muppet Show]]'' in a recreation of the Charlie Daniels Band song "[[The Devil Went Down to Georgia]]," the Devil challenges [[Johnny]] to a fiddling match. The stakes are Johnny's soul against the Devil's fiddle of gold. After a volley of hickory stump plucking, the Devil admits defeat and vanishes in a puff of smoke. |
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" could be viewed as a variation on a Russian folk tale/parable set to music in 1918 by composer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Stravinsky Igor Stravinsky], entitled ''Histoire du soldat''. The essential difference between the two versions is that in "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" the protagonist wins, whereas in "The Soldier's Tale", the protagonist loses. |
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" could be viewed as a variation on a Russian folk tale/parable set to music in 1918 by composer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Stravinsky Igor Stravinsky], entitled ''Histoire du soldat''. The essential difference between the two versions is that in "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" the protagonist wins, whereas in "The Soldier's Tale", the protagonist loses. |
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| − | + | The Devil also appears as the former scorned lover of an [[Angels|angel]] in the song "[[You're No Good]]" in the same episode. |
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| + | It was also implied that the Devil is [[Alice Cooper|Alice Cooper's]] boss in [[Episode 307: Alice Cooper|episode 307]], and that the guest star is trying to recruit lost souls for his master. After Alice fails to win [[Miss Piggy]] over to the dark side, it becomes clear that the Devil does not pay commissions on hourly rentals. In the final moments of the closing number, "[[School's Out]]," Alice sheds his cap and gown to reveal himself dressed as the Devil himself in a torn, red leotard replete with pointy tail, top hat, and pitchfork. |
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| + | ==References== |
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| + | * "[[Shiver My Timbers]]" includes the lyric, "those buccaneers [[Muppets imbibing alcohol|drown their sins in rum]], the Devil himself would have to call them scum." |
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| + | * In ''[[Muppet Treasure Island]]'', when the [[pirates]] give [[Long John Silver]] the black spot on a page from [[The Bible]], he tells them, "Satan is heatin' his pokers for you, you blasphemous heathens!" |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Demons and Devils]] |
* [[Demons and Devils]] |
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* [[Theological Figures]] |
* [[Theological Figures]] |
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| + | * [[Psychomachia]] |
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[[Category:Muppet Characters|Devil]] |
[[Category:Muppet Characters|Devil]] |
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[[Category:Muppet Show Characters|Devil]] |
[[Category:Muppet Show Characters|Devil]] |
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[[Category:Religion|Devil]] |
[[Category:Religion|Devil]] |
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[[Category:Halloween Characters|Devil]] |
[[Category:Halloween Characters|Devil]] |
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| + | [[Category:The Muppets Characters|Devil]] |
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Revision as of 13:53, 19 September 2014
Template:Performer
The Devil is, in many cultures, the central embodiment of evil usually referenced as a rebellious demon who is the enemy of God. Amongst his many names, he has been called Satan, the "Prince of Darkness," Beelzebub, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, and most commonly, the Devil (in some literature implying that amongst a myriad of devils, he is the primary). In many cultures, he is recognized in visual form as having been derived from the Greek gods Pan and Dionysus in appearance and modus operandi. The devil is often seen as the proprietor of Hell.
As seen in episode 420 of The Muppet Show in a recreation of the Charlie Daniels Band song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," the Devil challenges Johnny to a fiddling match. The stakes are Johnny's soul against the Devil's fiddle of gold. After a volley of hickory stump plucking, the Devil admits defeat and vanishes in a puff of smoke.
"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" could be viewed as a variation on a Russian folk tale/parable set to music in 1918 by composer Igor Stravinsky, entitled Histoire du soldat. The essential difference between the two versions is that in "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" the protagonist wins, whereas in "The Soldier's Tale", the protagonist loses.
The Devil also appears as the former scorned lover of an angel in the song "You're No Good" in the same episode.
It was also implied that the Devil is Alice Cooper's boss in episode 307, and that the guest star is trying to recruit lost souls for his master. After Alice fails to win Miss Piggy over to the dark side, it becomes clear that the Devil does not pay commissions on hourly rentals. In the final moments of the closing number, "School's Out," Alice sheds his cap and gown to reveal himself dressed as the Devil himself in a torn, red leotard replete with pointy tail, top hat, and pitchfork.
References
- "Shiver My Timbers" includes the lyric, "those buccaneers drown their sins in rum, the Devil himself would have to call them scum."
- In Muppet Treasure Island, when the pirates give Long John Silver the black spot on a page from The Bible, he tells them, "Satan is heatin' his pokers for you, you blasphemous heathens!"