Everyone loves a good prank. Every culture has them. Throughout history, famous literary tricksters come to life creating pranks in fiction and mythology. Tricksters tend to be people, animals, and paradoxical creatures that use their wit to carry their story. These highly crafty, intelligent, and foolish characters can manipulate others to do their bidding. Often they represent more than just a character, but a social pattern in society we all may face. Whether it is good or bad, tricksters will always be entertaining to read about. This April Fools’ Day take a look at some famous literary tricksters we know and adore, and the tricks they played.

Loki

Before Loki was Marvel’s supervillain, he was known as the God of Mischief. In the original Norse mythology, Loki shapeshifts into any human, animal, or living creature he wants no matter the gender. He mastered magic and the art of allusion. This lets him run afoul, causing mischief to the gods and goddesses throughout his world. He was most famous for turning into animals to escape punishment from Odin for the pranks he caused.

Odysseus

In the famous literary poem The Odyssey written by Homer, the hero Odysseus is very much a trickster. He possesses cleverness and is very cunning during war, creating a Trojan Horse that leads the Greeks to victory. Odysseus, much like Loki, was also considered a shapeshifter of twist and turns, tricking a cyclops to escape his cave. He relies on his wit to survive, doing whatever it takes to return home.

The Joker and Harley Quinn 

If clowns are known for their bag of tricks, the Joker and Harley Quinn take the crown. The two wreak havoc through their town challenging any hero they encounter. The Joker sneaks his way out of prison, and he causes mischief, deceiving his partners when robbing a bank. His counterpart and female trickster, Harley Quinn, follows in his footsteps, helping him escape the mental asylum many times.

Tom Sawyer

Under the watchful eye of his Aunt Polly, Tom Sawyer in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer causes mischief and mayhem as a young boy. Part trickster, part escape artist, he plays pranks throughout his adventures, including when he fakes his own death, making everyone in his town believe it. His tricks are done purely for his amusement. Tom plays hooky from school and tricks others into doing his chores.

Fred and George Weasley

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter includes famous trickers Fred and George Weasley. The two twins may seem just like the older brothers of Ron Weasley, but they carry weight to Rowling’s story. They are noteworthy for the many pranks over the course of the series. They turn their wits and wiles into a career with Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. In the Order of the Phoenix, they kick off a goodbye, scaring Dolores Umbridge, earning them a spot in the trickster hall of fame.

Matilda

It’s not how big the prank is that matters; it’s the determined conviction. Matilda, a young child, has a righteous variety of tricks. Supergluing her father’s hat to his head, having chalk that writes itself, and making a car fall apart. She too has mastered the art of illusion, and it shows with her telekinesis pranks. Matilda uses her clever and quiet skills to sneak about and defeat her evil headmistress. Having awful parents only stirs readers to root for her pranks and tricks against them.

Brer Rabbit

With a story titled American Trickster, it’s no wonder this rabbit has a few tricks to demonstrate. And yet this character also shows the struggle of people wanting to break free from society’s restraints. In the African American folktale, Brer Rabbit, using his wit, rises to freedom when he tricks a fox into rescuing him from a well. He also tricks his competition, the horse, into carrying the rabbit on its back. Similar to his fellow tricksters, the rabbit constantly uses his cleverness to get out of the trouble he began.