| Author | Message | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1800 Registered: 11-2008 |
He passed, and he had a lot of fun. There is a really VERY lateral (and somewhat flawed) link between this puzzle, my last puzzle and one of my previous ones. It is not relevant for the solution as such, so please do not concentrate on it very much but whoever finds out what it was, will gain my deep admiration. Good luck! | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2386 Registered: 5-2003 |
He passed a test? (if so, physical or mental)? Passed by something (ie physically went past it? Passed a physical object to someone/something? Are the pass/passing and the fun two different events? If so, which comes before the other, and how long was the time between them? Or was the passing itself fun? Is he HAM? Is he famous? Are any of the following relevant: Location? Era? Terrain? Weather? Ethnicity? Language? Religion? Occupation? Gender? Other participants beside himself? Plants? Animals? Objects? (if so, how many of each?) | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1801 Registered: 11-2008 |
He passed a test? Yes (if so, physical or mental)? I'd say both Passed by something (ie physically went past it? Passed a physical object to someone/something? No to rest Are the pass/passing and the fun two different events? Yes If so, which comes before the other First the test, then the fun, and how long was the time between them? Minutes, a few hours as a maximum Or was the passing itself fun? No Is he HAM? Yes Is he famous? Quite so Are any of the following relevant: Location? Yes Era? Yes Terrain? Weather? Ethnicity? Language? Yesish Religion? Occupation? Gender? Yes Other participants beside himself? Yes Plants? Animals? Yes Objects? (if so, how many of each?) One | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2389 Registered: 5-2003 |
Are the passing and the test related? Directly or indirectly? Is the fun a result of passing the test? A reward? Location: On Earth? If so, which country? Gender: Is the other participant male? The animal? Is participation restricted to one gender? I'm gonna call our hero Bob, the other participant Al (Alice?) and the animal Rover. Which of these three participates in the test? Which participates in the fun? Is the test academic? Is it administered? By Al? Is the test a unique event? Is the fun? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1811 Registered: 11-2008 |
Are the passing and the test related? Yes Directly or indirectly? Directly Is the fun a result of passing the test? Yes A reward? Yes from Bob's point of view, Noish from Alice's and Hermione's Location: On Earth? Yes If so, which country? France Gender: Is the other participant male? No; and I must apologize for a BLOOPER - in fact, there are two other human participants, both of which are female The animal? Male but not very relevant Is participation restricted to one gender? There are three human participants, two of which are female, and one animal participant which is male - see above I'm gonna call our hero Bob, the other participant Al (Alice?) and the animal Rover. OK, and let us call the second female participant Hermione Which of these three participates in the test? All four of them Which participates in the fun? The three humans Is the test academic? No Is it administered? Do you mean whether it actually takes place? If so, the answer is Yes By Al? Yes, by both Alice and Hermione Is the test a unique event? Yes Is the fun? In this particular case, yesish | ||
| Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo)
New member Username: Jenburdoo Post Number: 2392 Registered: 5-2003 |
Sorry, I meant was it administered by a person, in a proctoring room or a classroom in the traditional school-testing manner? Or was the test taken without a teacher/proctor/authority present? Was it a computerized test? A test of skill? Writing? Reading? 'Rithmetic? Which of the characters take the test, and which administer it, if any? Is the age of any participants relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1812 Registered: 11-2008 |
Sorry, I meant was it administered by a person Yesish, in a proctoring room or a classroom in the traditional school-testing manner but none of the above applies ? Or was the test taken without a teacher/proctor/authority present? If it is formulated in this way, the answer is No Was it a computerized test? A test of skill? Writing? Reading? 'Rithmetic? None of the above Which of the characters take the test Bob , and which administer it Alice and Hermione, if any? Is the age of any participants relevant? They are all adult; their exact ages are irr | ||
| Kalira (Kalira)
New member Username: Kalira Post Number: 331 Registered: 2-2009 |
The administering person is yesish because it is both Alice and Hermione? Is the time period when this takes place relevant? If so, [please insert LTPF list of centuries]? The animal: Is it relevant what species it is? Does it belong to Bob? Alice? Hermione? Does it aid? or hinder? Bob in some way during his completion of the test? Rover = dog? cat? monkey? ape? some other type of mammal? a bird? a reptile? an amphibian? | ||
| Jumpingjack (Jumpingjack)
New member Username: Jumpingjack Post Number: 1199 Registered: 3-2006 |
Hi Alhucema! Sorry, this has nothing to do with this puzzle, but I found this on youtube and immediately thought of you. More ideas for Mike besides Charlie Chaplin! =P http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVqEwpxAYLI | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1813 Registered: 11-2008 |
The administering person is yesish because it is both Alice and Hermione? Yes Is the time period when this takes place relevant? Yesish If so, [please insert LTPF list of centuries]? 11th The animal: Is it relevant what species it is? Yes Does it belong to Bob? Alice? Either this Hermione? or this Does it aid? or hinder? Bob in some way during his completion of the test? I'd say neither, although after a long thought. It definitely does not aid him. Rover = dog? cat? This monkey? ape? some other type of mammal? a bird? a reptile? an amphibian? Jumpingjack, thanks, that's amazing! | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1493 Registered: 9-2009 |
Does the test involve running? Climbing? Is it a race? Is it something where you can get a ranking? Or do you simply either pass or fail? Does anyone else than Bob take the test? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1876 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does the test involve running? No Climbing? NoIs it a race? No Is it something where you can get a ranking? No Or do you simply either pass or fail? This Does anyone else than Bob take the test? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1505 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is it dangerous? Can he get hurt? Is the following relevant: Speed? Agility? Strength? Intelligence? Reflexes? One specific skill? does he have to get the cat down from a tree? Or catch it? Or do something else to it? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1878 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is it dangerous? Noish Can he get hurt? Yes Is the following relevant: Speed? Agility? Strength? Intelligence? Neither Reflexes? This could be laterally relevant One specific skill? Yes does he have to get the cat down from a tree? Or catch it? Or do something else to it Neither | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1513 Registered: 9-2009 |
Does he use his: hands? Feet? Sight? Hearing? Sense of balance? Does the test itself take: seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? Longer? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1887 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does he use his: hands? Feet? Sight? Hearing? Sense of balance? Neither Does the test itself take: seconds? This Minutes? Hours? Days? Longer? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1514 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is he blindfolded? Is it a taste test? Or does he use his sense of touch? Or smell? Is he tasked with recognizing something? Figuring something out? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1888 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is he blindfolded? No Is it a taste test? No Or does he use his sense of touch? No, with a very tiny-ish Or smell? Is he tasked with recognizing something? Figuring something out? No to the rest | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1516 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is precision important in the test? Timing? A specific body part? A specific sense? Does he use a tool? Create something? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1891 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is precision important in the test? No Timing? No A specific body part? Yesish A specific sense? If you mean the classic five senses, the answer is Yesish Does he use a tool? No Create something? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1518 Registered: 9-2009 |
Making faces relevant? Imitation? does he speak? sing? whistle? Make some other noise? Or avoid making noise? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1893 Registered: 11-2008 |
Making faces relevant? No Imitation? No does he speak? No! sing? No whistle? No Make some other noise? No Or avoid making noise? This! | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1520 Registered: 9-2009 |
Do they do something to him? During which he succeeds in staying quiet? do they tickle him? Hurt him? Or is he sneaking up on someone? On something? On the cat? Or is he hiding? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1895 Registered: 11-2008 |
Do they do something to him? Yes During which he succeeds in staying quiet? Yes, and there is something more specific to it do they tickle him? No Hurt him? Yes Or is he sneaking up on someone? No On something? No On the cat? No Or is he hiding? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1522 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did they: hit him? Burn him? Pull on his hair? Twist his nipples (ouch)? Cut him? Was the only purpose to inflict pain? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1897 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did they: hit him? Burn him? Pull on his hair? Twist his nipples (ouch)? None of the above (you are quite inventive though :-))) Cut him? Noish Was the only purpose to inflict pain? No, there was a reason why they wanted to inflict pain | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1523 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did they pull a bad tooth? Perform some other medical procedure? Or something like tattooing him? Or making a piercing? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1898 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did they pull a bad tooth? Perform some other medical procedure? Or something like tattooing him? Or making a piercing? Neither | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1524 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was the pain the goal of what they did? Or was it only a consequence of it? Did the pain serve a purpose? Could the same thing happen today? Was the test to see if he could withstand the pain? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1899 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was the pain the goal of what they did? No in the sense it wasn't the ultimate goal Or was it only a consequence of it? I am not sure I understand properly - the pain was a consequence of something they did, if you mean this Did the pain serve a purpose? Yes Could the same thing happen today? Yes but it is not very likely Was the test to see if he could withstand the pain? Yope | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1528 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did he bleed? Get a bruise? Other mark? A permanent one? Was the pain from heat? Cold? Was it in only one place of his body? Relevant which part? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1900 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he bleed? Yes Get a bruise? No Other mark? Yes A permanent one? Probably not Was the pain from heat? Cold? Neither Was it in only one place of his body? DOYD of "place" Relevant which part? Not really | ||
| Readbelow (Readbelow)
New member Username: Readbelow Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2010 |
Did the cat inflict pain on him? Does he inflict pain on himself? Do Alice and Hermione inflict pain on him? Does he consume something? Does he handle something dangerous? Water involved? Is gender relevant? Was it for punishment? Or like a test of courage? Is he royalty? Is he an entertainer? Are Alice and Hermione famous?A | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1921 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did the cat inflict pain on him? Yes Does he inflict pain on himself? No Do Alice and Hermione inflict pain on him? Yes Does he consume something? No Does he handle something dangerous? No Water involved? No Is gender relevant? Yes Was it for punishment? No Or like a test of courage? No but getting very warm here Is he royalty? Not exactly Is he an entertainer? Yesish Are Alice and Hermione famous? No | ||
| Readbelow (Readbelow)
New member Username: Readbelow Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2010 |
Did the cat scratch Bob? Is the cat trying to attack him? Is this test necessary to take? Is it a just for fun test? Is he like a comedian? Does he know Alice and Hermione? Are they relatives? Are they like assistants? Were any other people watching this? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1923 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did the cat scratch Bob? Yes! Is the cat trying to attack him? NoIs this test necessary to take? From the point of view of Alice and Hermione, yes Is it a just for fun test? Is he like a comedian? No, and in this case irrelevant Does he know Alice and Hermione? Yes but fairly irrelevant as well Are they relatives? No Are they like assistants? No Were any other people watching this? No | ||
| Readbelow (Readbelow)
New member Username: Readbelow Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2010 |
Was the cat meant to scratch Bob? Did Mike know the cat? Would this test make him better in anyway? Would it cure him of something? Does this test take place out doors or indoors? Rural or Urban? Would adults be more likely to know Bob than children? Was Bob preparing or practicing for something? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1928 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was the cat meant to scratch Bob? Yes Did Mike know the cat? You mean Bob ;-)) - no and irr Would this test make him better in anyway? No Would it cure him of something? No Does this test take place out doors or indoorsThis? Rural And this but fairly irr or Urban? Would adults be more likely to know Bob than children? Definitely, yet I bet there are many adults who do not know him Was Bob preparing or practicing for something? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1575 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is superstition involved? Would something bad have happened, had he failed the test? Witchcraft invovled? Did they subject any other people than Bob to the same test? Were they happy that he passed it? Did they give him the cat? Did they give him a job? Is he expected to recieve more cat scratches in the near future? Or other scratches? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1962 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is superstition involved? Noish Would something bad have happened, had he failed the test? No Witchcraft invovled? No Did they subject any other people than Bob to the same test? Not likely Were they happy that he passed it? Yes Did they give him the cat? No Did they give him a job? No but getting warm Is he expected to recieve more cat scratches in the near future? No Or other scratches? Possibly but irr | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1616 Registered: 9-2009 |
does Alice and Hermione make the cat scratch him? Or do they inflict additional pain: before the scratch? After thet scratch? Do they do something painful to the scratch? Like cleaning it? Or pouring salt on it? Relevant where on the body he gets scratched? Relevant how the cat is made to scratch him? Is it important that a cat was used? Or could it have been another animal? Or could the scratch have been made by a sharp object? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1980 Registered: 11-2008 |
does Alice and Hermione make the cat scratch him? Yes Or do they inflict additional pain: No before the scratch? After thet scratch? Do they do something painful to the scratch? No Like cleaning it? Or pouring salt on it? Relevant where on the body he gets scratched? He was scratched over a half of his body, not really relevant where Relevant how the cat is made to scratch him? No - they just brought it and made it scratch him Is it important that a cat was used? No Or could it have been another animal? Yes, provided it was able to do similar harm Or could the scratch have been made by a sharp object? Yes | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1618 Registered: 9-2009 |
So he passed the test by keeping quiet while being scratched by a cat? Is there more to be discovered about the test itself? Or should we instead find out more about the fun, and the reasons for doing the test? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 1981 Registered: 11-2008 |
So he passed the test by keeping quiet while being scratched by a cat? Exactly so, with svv of "quiet" Is there more to be discovered about the test itself? No Or should we instead find out more about the fun Yes, and the reasons for doing the test? Absolutely. | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1633 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did they want to test his: bravery? Will power? Endurance of pain? Power of silence? Has he taken a vow of silence? Is the test (part of) a ritual? Hazing? does he gain membership in some group? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2002 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did they want to test his: bravery? No Will power? No Endurance of pain? No Power of silence? This is closest and worth exploring Has he taken a vow of silence? Noish Is the test (part of) a ritual? No Hazing? No does he gain membership in some group? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1654 Registered: 9-2009 |
Svv of quiet: does he need to not: Flinch? Whimper? Grunt? Speak? Swear? Retaliate? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2018 Registered: 11-2008 |
Svv of quiet: does he need to not: Flinch? Whimper? Grunt? Speak? This!Swear? Retaliate? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1657 Registered: 9-2009 |
Do they "torture" him? Is he not to speak at all? Or not to speak about something specific? Do they try to make him reveal something? Is he showing them that he can keep a secret? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2019 Registered: 11-2008 |
Do they "torture" him? I am not sure I understand what you mean. The answer is Yes in the sense they want to inflict pain on him Is he not to speak at all? Exactly so Or not to speak about something specific? and, consequently, also this Do they try to make him reveal something? No Is he showing them that he can keep a secret? Yes but there is a little bit more to it | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1659 Registered: 9-2009 |
I mean did they inflict pain in order to try to coerce him? Is a specific secret relevant? Is he showing that he can keep a secret, and do something else in addition? Something else related to not speaking? Like calling for help? Or begging for them to stop? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2021 Registered: 11-2008 |
I mean did they inflict pain in order to try to coerce him? No, not in this sense Is a specific secret relevant? Yes Is he showing that he can keep a secret Yesish, and do something else in addition? He would be required to do something in addition but the test does not reveal his ability to do this Something else related to not speaking? Like calling for help? Or begging for them to stop? By not doing any of these he is demonstrating something | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1664 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is he demonstrating: courage? Willpower? Nobility? The power of his word (Has he given his word not to divulge the secret)? does he demonstrate that he is something? Or that he isn't something? Such as a coward? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2027 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is he demonstrating: courage? Willpower? Nobility? The power of his word (Has he given his word not to divulge the secret)? No to all does he demonstrate that he is something? Yesish, with svv of "is" Or that he isn't something? Yesish with svv of "is" Such as a coward? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1673 Registered: 9-2009 |
would it help to find out more about the secret? Is it about: him? Them? The cat? Someone else? Something else? Is the fun: a game? An object? Is it of a sexual nature? Is it related to the secret? Did he have to pass the test in order to get the fun? Was the fun used as a motivation for passing the test? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2028 Registered: 11-2008 |
would it help to find out more about the secret? Definitely ? Is it about: him? Yes Them? Yes The cat? No Someone else? No Something else? No Is the fun: a game? No An object? No Is it of a sexual nature? Yes Is it related to the secret? Yes Did he have to pass the test in order to get the fun?Yes Was the fun used as a motivation for passing the test? No | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2029 Registered: 11-2008 |
would it help to find out more about the secret? Definitely Is it about: him? Yes Them? Yes The cat? No Someone else? No Something else? No Is the fun: a game? No An object? No Is it of a sexual nature? Yes Is it related to the secret? Yes Did he have to pass the test in order to get the fun?Yes Was the fun used as a motivation for passing the test? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1697 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is class relevant? Are they nobility? Are their professions relevant? Is the secret also of a sexual nature? Is pregnancy relevant? Children? Heritage? Infertility? Polygamy? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2036 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is class relevant? Yesish Are they nobility? Likely Are their professions relevant? No Is the secret also of a sexual nature? Yes Is pregnancy relevant? Children? Heritage? Infertility? Polygamy? But not the rest | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1735 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did he have sex with them? Will he? Or only one of them? Is he Casanova? Or some other famous seducer? Is the secret the fact that they have a sexual relationship? Adultery relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2054 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he have sex with them? Will he? This Or only one of them? No, with both Is he Casanova? No Or some other famous seducer? No Is the secret the fact that they have a sexual relationship? Yes Adultery relevant?Yes | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 1741 Registered: 9-2009 |
Will he commit adultery? Will they? Does he swear not to tell anyone? Or specific person(s)? And they scratch him with the cat to see that he will keep his word even when subjected to pain? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2057 Registered: 11-2008 |
Will he commit adultery? No - I think the right term would be fornication, but anyway, it's fairly irrelevant Will they? Definitely Does he swear not to tell anyone? No but very much OTRT Or specific person(s)? No And they scratch him with the cat to see that he will keep his word even when subjected to pain? No but again very much OTRT | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2010 |
So Alice and Hermione are both married? Is Bob? Is it necessary for them to scratch Bob? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2088 Registered: 11-2008 |
So Alice and Hermione are both married? Yes, that's correct Is Bob? Irrelevant Is it necessary for them to scratch Bob? They did not necessarily need to scratch him, there were definitely more ways which would serve their purpose. HINT: Please take into account that the medieval thinking might have been slightly different from the way we think now. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is the test meant to prove that Bob is human and not a witch/wizard? (If so, is that why you called the second female Hermione?) | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2089 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is the test meant to prove that Bob is human and not a witch/wizard? (If so, is that why you called the second female Hermione?) No but very good piece of lateral thinking :-)) | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are the 4 humours relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2093 Registered: 11-2008 |
Are the 4 humours relevant? No;I did not mean any specific piece of medieval knowledge, just that it is not likely that this kind of test would be used nowadays. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2010 |
Hmmm. My thoughts keep turning to witchcraft. Recap please? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2108 Registered: 11-2008 |
Hmmm. My thoughts keep turning to witchcraft. Then turn them away again - no witchcraft is involved. One of the reasons I used Hermione is that I am reading Harry Potter as a bedtime story to my kids; there is another one you will know only when I spoyle ;-)) Recap please? Uh..huh. OK. Two married women, Alice and Hermione, submit Bob to a test. The test consists of the fact they let a cat scratch him. Their goal is to inflict pain on him, to make him demonstrate something yet to be found. He does so by not calling for help nor begging them to stop. Then, as a reward, he has sex with both of them. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 25 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does the thing that Bob demonstrates involve the women's husbands at all? (i.e. he will not speak to the husbands) Is the test related to the reward? Will they do something else painful to him? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2114 Registered: 11-2008 |
Does the thing that Bob demonstrates involve the women's husbands at all? (i.e. he will not speak to the husbands) Not directly to the husbands, but the goal definitely is that the husbands shouldn't know. Is the test related to the reward? Yes - in the sense that if he did not pass, there would be no reward for him. Will they do something else painful to him? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is the intent of the test to show that Bob will keep quiet during the sex? And so the husbands will not hear them? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2129 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is the intent of the test to show that Bob will keep quiet during the sex? And so the husbands will not hear them? No but you are getting very close. HINT: There would probably be no use of the test in these days because virtually all people are literate. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is Alice literate? Hermione? Bob? The husbands? Are any of these relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2135 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is Alice literate? Hermione? Bob? The husbands? Are any of these relevant? Out of these, only Bob is positively literate. We do not know anything about the rest of them. If Alice and Hermione knew Bob was literate, they wouldn't have submitted him to the test. Their point would work only for a person who, among other things, cannot write. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did they want an illiterate guy so that he couldn't write about the experience? Was their goal that the experience would forever remain secret? ("They" = Alice/Hermione) | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2137 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did they want an illiterate guy so that he couldn't write about the experience? No but on the right track. Nowadays, even a person meeting A and H's conditions could spill the beans because anyone can write. But think about the time back then when almost nobody could, and what would make you certain that a person would keep your secret. Was their goal that the experience would forever remain secret? ("They" = Alice/Hermione) Yes | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 59 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is it relevant where on the body the cat scratched Bob? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2139 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is it relevant where on the body the cat scratched Bob? Not really HINT: Whatever they were testing him for, he was cheating. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2140 Registered: 11-2008 |
Is it relevant where on the body the cat scratched Bob? Not really HINT: Whatever they were testing him for, he was cheating. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2010 |
Ok, let's see then... Did he use another object to help him cheat? Was he told of the reward before he took the test? If so, is that why he cheated? Some other reason? Did the cat simply scratch him, or scratch a symbol (letter, number, shape, etc.) onto him? Was it a deep scratch? Shallow? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2142 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he use another object to help him cheat? No Was he told of the reward before he took the test? Yes If so, is that why he cheated? Yes Some other reason? No Did the cat simply scratch him Yes, or scratch a symbol (letter, number, shape, etc.) onto him? No Was it a deep scratch? Assume this; the important thing was that it was very painful Shallow? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 65 Registered: 4-2010 |
If he were not being tested, would he have screamed/cried for help? Were they testing him for tolerance to pain? Is it important how he cheated? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2143 Registered: 11-2008 |
If he were not being tested, would he have screamed/cried for help Yes and relevant? Were they testing him for tolerance to pain? No Is it important how he cheated? It is just that he pretended something that wasn't true | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 70 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he pretend that the scratching did not hurt him? Did the scratch make him bleed? Relevant? (Wow, this is hard. I like it.) | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2150 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he pretend that the scratching did not hurt him? No, but... Did the scratch make him bleed? Yes Relevant? Not in the sense there was blood but yes in the sense it was extremely painful. (Wow, this is hard. I like it.) My pleasure :-)) | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he pretend that the scratching did not hurt very much? Was what he pretended related to the scratching? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2159 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he pretend that the scratching did not hurt very much? No, but.... Was what he pretended related to the scratching? In this case, yes, but there are many things which would have done the trick, too. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 82 Registered: 4-2010 |
Hmmm... Was it necessary that it was an animal that scratched him? Could it have been a pointy object (like a hook)? An edged object (like a knife)? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2179 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was it necessary that it was an animal that scratched him? Not really Could it have been a pointy object (like a hook)? Yes An edged object (like a knife)? Yes HINT 1: The point was to cause him considerable pain, to test him for something. He "endured" the test. HINT 2: He was pretending the "something", whatever it was. He knew beforehand for what he was tested. HINT 3: They did not know he could read and write. If they did, they probably would not have submitted him to the test as it would be not necessary. (And there would have been no fun for him, either.) | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 86 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was he clothed when he was scratched? On the part of the body where he was scratched? Relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2182 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was he clothed when he was scratched? No On the part of the body where he was scratched? No Relevant? Only in the sense it really really hurt | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 87 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he pretend it didn't really really hurt? Did what he pretended involve his reaction? Were Alice/Hermione clothed when they administered the test? Relevant? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2189 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he pretend it didn't really really hurt? No Did what he pretended involve his reaction? Yes Were Alice/Hermione clothed when they administered the test? Yes Relevant? Yesish | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 89 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he react at all to the scratching? If so, did he pretend he enjoyed the pain? | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2193 Registered: 11-2008 |
Did he react at all to the scratching? Yes If so, did he pretend he enjoyed the pain? No | ||
| Cynic (Cynic)
New member Username: Cynic Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2010 |
Was he being tested for a violent reaction to the pain? Did the thing he was pretending about concern his.. ability to impregnate a woman? | ||
| Cynic (Cynic)
New member Username: Cynic Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2010 |
Was he pretending to be mute? (and, we guess, an illiterate mute?) | ||
| Cynic (Cynic)
New member Username: Cynic Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2010 |
Did he pretend he didn't speak or understand the language that the women spoke? (sorry for posting three times in a row, new here.. haven't quite got the hang of waiting until I have a good number of questions) | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2195 Registered: 11-2008 |
Was he being tested for a violent reaction to the pain? No Did the thing he was pretending about concern his.. ability to impregnate a woman? No Was he pretending to be mute? Yes, and bingo! (and, we guess, an illiterate mute?) I just mentioned the illiteracy as a hint, as nowadays it wouldn't help for him to be mute if he could write and therefore leak the secret. id he pretend he didn't speak or understand the language that the women spoke? Very close but no - see above (sorry for posting three times in a row, new here.. haven't quite got the hang of waiting until I have a good number of questions)Nevermind, you got it, and here goes the **********SPOILER************* Bob is in fact Guilhem de Peitieus (William IX, Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony and Count of Poitou.) Besides being a Crusader and quite a difficult person to live with (a womanizer who could be very violent if someone got in his way), he was also a great poet and in fact the earliest troubadour whose work survived. He wrote poems about politics, sex and love, and our puzzle refers to one of them. In a nutshell: William meets two married women, Agnes and Ermessen (our Alice and Hermione, whose name I used just for the resemblance :-)), and pretends to be mute. The women invite him to their castle and wine and dine him. They would like to use him for some... erm, extramarital distraction, but are afraid he might eventually talk and spill the beans. They therefore decide to submit him to a test. They bring a large cat and let him violently scratch William, who however manages not to speak a word. What happens then... well, it would be a greater pleasure if we let William himself tell us the rest. (For those who happen not to understand the Occitan language;-)), there is also an English translation, which I find absolutely charming). http://www.planck.com/Guilhem/aquitmute.htm Thank you all for the participation, and Cynic for the correct conclusion. Guilhen de Peitieus (William IX, Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony and Count of Poitou.) Besides being a Crusader and quite a difficult person to live with (a womanizer who could be very violent if someone got in his way ) But to us, he is best known the earliest troubadour whose work survived. He wrote poems about politics, sex and love, and our puzzle refers to one of them. In a nutshell: William meets two married women, Agnes and Ermessen (our Alice and Hermione, whose name I used just for the resemblance :-)), and pretends to be mute. The women invite him to their castle and wine and dine him. They would like to use him for some... erm, extramarital distraction, but are afraid he might eventually talk and spill the beans. They therefore decide to submit him to a test. They bring a large cat and let him violently scratch William, who however manages not to speak a word. What happens then... well, it would be a greater pleasure if we let William himself tell us the rest. (For those who happen not to understand the Occitan language;-)), there is also an English translation, which I find absolutely charming). http://www.planck.com/Guilhem/aquitmute.htm Thank you all for the participation, and Cynic for the correct conclusion. There yet remains the lateral and somewhat flawed link among this puzzle, my puzzle about Robbie Burns and my first Versponse puzzle I mentioned at the beginning. It is by no means not obligatory but my hat off to whoever guesses it right. There yet remains the lateral and somewhat flawed link among this puzzle, my puzzle about Robbie Burns and my first Versponse puzzle I mentioned at the beginning. It is by no means obligatory but my hat off to whoever guesses it right. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2196 Registered: 11-2008 |
Oops,Sorry, I messed it up. The spoiler could read like this: **************SPOILER************** Bob is in fact Guilhem de Peitieus (William IX, Duke of Aquitaine and Gascony and Count of Poitou, 1071 - 1126.) Besides being a Crusader and quite a difficult person to live with (a womanizer who could be very violent if someone got in his way), he was also a great poet and in fact the earliest troubadour whose work survived. He wrote poems about politics, sex and love, and our puzzle refers to one of them. In a nutshell: William meets two married women, Agnes and Ermessen (our Alice and Hermione, whose name I used just for the resemblance :-)), and pretends to be mute. The women invite him to their castle and wine and dine him. They would like to use him for some... erm, extramarital distraction, but are afraid he might eventually talk and spill the beans. They therefore decide to submit him to a test. They bring a large cat and let him violently scratch William, who however manages not to speak a word. What happens then... well, it would be a greater pleasure if we let William himself tell us the rest. (For those who happen not to understand the Occitan language;-)), there is also an English translation, which I find absolutely charming). http://www.planck.com/Guilhem/aquitmute.htm Thank you all for the participation, and Cynic for the correct conclusion. There yet remains the lateral and somewhat flawed link among this puzzle, my puzzle about Robbie Burns and my first Versponse puzzle I mentioned at the beginning. It is by no means not obligatory but my hat off to whoever guesses it right. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 94 Registered: 4-2010 |
Nice puzzle, and nice work. I would not have come up with the mute answer for a long time, if ever. | ||
| Alhucema (Alhucema)
New member Username: Alhucema Post Number: 2199 Registered: 11-2008 |
Nice puzzle, and nice work. I would not have come up with the mute answer for a long time, if ever. Never mind, Balin. You did a good deal of groundwork, didn't you? And I am glad to hear you liked the puzzle. I adore William's sense of humour, it seems to me so contemporary despite the almost one thousand years dividing us. (I would probably hate him in real life as a partner or opponent, though. :--)) Btw, it happens to me all the time that I keep guessing for weeks and constantly miss the target, and then someone comes and hits the bullseye :-)) | ||
| Cynic (Cynic)
New member Username: Cynic Post Number: 7 Registered: 5-2010 |
Nice puzzle! And stranger still to read the history behind it... To Balin and others, it was a bit like opening a very tight jar... you guys loosened it up for me ;) |
