BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Hänsel and Gretel - the names - pure chance!

**Posted by tobeornot221b** April 26, 2012 6:44 pm

I'm absolutely sure that this is a pure coincidence, yet I find it oddly fascinating:

"Hänsel and Gretel"

are led into danger by the witch.

The witch in a fairytale is "a good old-fashioned villain", which in this case is Moriarty. Obvious.

But the names!
"Hänsel" in German is short for "Johannes", Engl. "John".
"Gretel" in German is short for "Margarete", Engl. "Margaret". A short form of Margaret is "Molly".

Hmmm...just so you know!

**Posted by Davina** April 27, 2012 7:04 am

Coincidence, but what a coincidence. Love everything about the use of the brothers Grimm tales in TRF. This was my childen's absolute favourite fairy tale when they were young, although it is so gruesome. I could never leave any of it out. They especially enjoyed the witch being pushed into the oven and burned!

'Nibble, nibble little mouse. Who's that nibbling at my house?'

**Posted by jenosborn** April 27, 2012 7:47 am

love those name coincidences!

and ooo, scary, pushing the witch into the oven.. they will
BURN the HEART out of her... those fairy tales really
were grim..

**Posted by Davina** April 27, 2012 12:34 pm

Not sure if it will be of interest to anyone but there is a long history of psychological studies of Fairy Tales. A good introduction can be found on:

www.answers.com/topic/psychology-and-fairy-tales

**Posted by tobeornot221b** April 27, 2012 1:25 pm

Davina wrote:
Coincidence, but what a coincidence. Love everything about the use of the brothers Grimm tales in TRF. This was my childen's absolute favourite fairy tale when they were young, although it is so gruesome. I could never leave any of it out. They especially enjoyed the witch being pushed into the oven and burned!

'Nibble, nibble little mouse. Who's that nibbling at my house?'

"Knusper-knusper Knäuschen,
wer knuspert an meinem Häuschen?"

Oh, I love those onomatopoeia!

**Posted by Davina** April 27, 2012 7:42 pm

Lautbilderisch. Is that correct?

**Posted by tobeornot221b** April 27, 2012 7:47 pm

"lautmalerisch"
Oh, Davina, you're not so bad...!

**Posted by Sherlock Holmes** April 28, 2012 12:34 am

jenosborn wrote:
and ooo, scary, pushing the witch into the oven.. they will
BURN the HEART out of her...

Did they actually say that? Is that where it comes from?!

**Posted by kazza474** April 28, 2012 9:17 am

"john" is such a common name in either language. It is bound to happen.

Sherlock? You ever eat too much ginger? It'd burn the heart (and other parts) out of you.

Last edited by kazza474 (April 28, 2012 9:17 am)

**Posted by Sherlock Holmes** April 28, 2012 9:22 am

Maybe that's what Moriarty was planning all along - give Sherlock ginger! That was the final problem! That was the clue we all missed! (I'm joking of course)

**Posted by kazza474** April 28, 2012 9:35 am

Yes well : I know that if he gave ME ginger I'd jump off a building!!!

**Posted by Sherlock Holmes** April 28, 2012 10:45 am

That's why Sherlock had tears in his eyes - it was the effect of the ginger!

**Posted by Davina** April 28, 2012 4:27 pm

Damn! Lautmalerisch! Knew it was something like painting/picture! Lol
Nothing wrong with ginger! Ask Benedict and Mark! Lol