Tricksters throughout history and myth all have some similarities, whether on the silver screen or in books they all share a few if not all of 6 common character traits.Tricksters have some of not all of these characteristics: They are ambiguous/ anomalous, they are deceptive and like to play tricks (and thats most likely how they got their names), they are shape shifters, situation inverters, imitators of the gods or imitators or bricoleurs.
Of all these characteristics and all the other possible Tricksters to be described, one stands out more than any to me. Maybe that’s because my bias comes from my fanatic look towards the best saga known to man, a saga that takes place “A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.” Center stage and the trickster in the hot seat in my view is Chancellor Palpatine from all of the Star Wars movies excluding Episode VII which comes out in about 7 weeks.
Chancellor Palpatine is a trickster of many traits. Swindling and deceiving everyone who is in his path, whether on his team or not. He holds the highest place in the Republic Senate and yet at the same time is a Master Sith (Opposite of the Jedi) and wielder of the dark side of the force, known as Darth Sidious. Yet, due to his deception, he shields his dark identity from the Senate because the Sith are against the Senate and Palpatine’s main goal is to rule the galaxy and do away with the Senate and its Republic.
Two of the Hyne’s characteristics that stand out the most with Chancellor Palpatine would definitely be Deceiver and Situation Inverter. As previously stated and as shown in the well-made video clip, he is a master deceiver that seeks ultimate power by pretending to be on the side of the Republic yet pulling strings on both sides to benefit him and his end goal. I would say that Deceiver and Situation Inverter in this case would go hand in hand as he takes situations whether in his favor or against it and turns them around to benefit his end game.
Coming in at a close second and third, as far as the characteristics go, would be Shape Shifter and Bricoleur. In Episode III “Revenge of The Sith” Darth Sidious kills Master Jedi, Mace Windu by wielding force lightning and electrocuting him, sending him out a window to fall to his death. While commiting this electrifying murder, Sidious’ face (and most likely the rest of his body) shift the shape of him and make him seem more evil to his demeanor. Now as for the trait of Bricoleur (sacred and lewd), this is given, in my opinion, from an order he gave his new apprentice, the newly converted Sith from the Jedi order, Darth Vader. The order was to kill all the “younglings” (young kids training to be Jedi) in the Jedi Temple.
Now, I wont go any further… I don’t want to spoil the rest of my essay!!
May the Force Be With You!!
Hum 115: World Mythology 
I think one aspect of the shape-shifter characteristic is not just the ability to change physical appearance, but rather to manipulate the perception others have of the trickster. So rather than just putting on new outfits or disguises, tricksters can change their habits, speech, and maybe even change their appetites/ hunger (or at least allow people to perceive them that way) for sake of their tricks. Darth Sidious didn’t just kill some Jedi, get shocky face, and change his outfit to shapeshift (and I don’t mean to imply that’s what you are saying here, just making a observation). He talked the talk, he portrayed genuine concern for the Republic, he spoke out actively against abuse of power that could harm the galaxy, etc. And the worst part is, he was able to fool everyone because of how shifty his shapes were. Just my thoughts. Great choice! Wish I could read the full analysis!
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