Transmogrification
Shapeshifting or transmogrification refers to a change in the form or shape of a person. It primarily refers to either:
- a change from human form to animal form and vice versa, OR
- a change in appearance from one person to another
Although shapeshifting is not believed to be scientifically or medically possible, it is a common theme in myth.
Shapeshifting in myth
Shapeshifting to the form of a different species is specifically known as lycanthropy, and is frequently used in association with myths and legends pertaining to such creatures as werewolves and vampires.
Other terms for a shapeshifter include doppelganger, metamorph, mimic, and were.
Notable shapeshifters in fiction
Shapeshifters appear in many fantasy and science fiction stories.
Notable shapeshifting characters include:
In the story of Puss in Boots, the hero (a cat) tricks an ogre into becoming a mouse; he then eats it.
In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a large bug.
Transmogrification is a theme used several times in the Jerry Cornelius stories, and in most of Jack L. Chalker's books. The word has been popularized by the transmogrifier used in Calvin and Hobbes.
See also
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