Joseph Campbell on Myth and Mythology by
A selection of readings by Joseph Campbell, including the editor's comments on the influence of mythology on personal and societal behaviour and the evolution of the creative mythologies of today. The development of Campbell's thought is traced and an analysis of The Hero's Journey is included.
Transformations of Myth Through Time by
The renowned master of mythology is at his warm, accessible, and brilliant best in this illustrated collection of thirteen lectures covering mythological development around the world.
The Power of Myth by
The Power Of Myth launched an extraordinary resurgence of interest in Joseph Campbell and his work. A preeminient scholar, writer, and teacher, he has had a profound influence on millions of people. To him, mythology was the "song of the universe, the music of the spheres." With Bill Moyers, one of America's most prominent journalists, as his thoughtful and engaing interviewer, The Power Of Myth touches on subjects from modern marriage to virgin births, from Jesus to John Lennon, offering a brilliantcombination of intelligence and wit.
The Classical Tradition by
Designed for scholars, students, and the general reader, this compilation of essays shows how Classical civilizations have shaped human endeavors from art to government, mathematics to medicine, drama to urban planning, legal theory to popular culture.
Companion to Ancient Epic by
A Companion to Ancient Epic presents for the first time a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of ancient Near Eastern, Greek and Roman epic. It offers a multi-disciplinary discussion of both longstanding ideas and newer perspectives. A Companion to the Near Eastern, Greek, and Roman epic traditions Considers the interrelation between these different traditions Provides a balanced overview of longstanding ideas and newer perspectives in the study of epic Shows how scholarship over the last forty years has transformed the ways that we conceive of and understand the genre Covers recently introduced topics, such as the role of women, the history of reception, and comparison with living analogues from oral tradition The editor and contributors are leading scholars in the field Includes a detailed index of poems, poets, technical terms, and important figures and events
Fairy Tale Ancient World by
In this, the first modern study of the ancient fairytale, Graham Anderson asks whether the familiar children's fairytale of today existed in the ancient world. He examines texts from the classical period and finds many stories which resemble those we know today, including: * a Jewish Egyptian Cinderella * a Snow White whose enemy is the goddess Artemis * a Pied Piper at Troy. He puts forward many previously unsuspected candidates as classical variants of the modern fairytale and argues that the degree of violence and cruelty in the ancient tales means they must have been meant for adults.
Bloomsbury Dictionary of Myth by
This work retells the world's major myths and legends, and gives a clear reference guide to who was who, where was where and what was what. In addition to A-Z entries of myths, motifs, locations and characters, there are generic essays and entries about the various traditions, organized by location. The essays discuss the kinds of myth each area has produced, and their relationship to local geography, culture and religions. The guide explores the major myth traditions of every continent, from the Americas and Middle East to Europe and Africa. The origins and historical significance of each legend are examined and recurring motifs are traced through the ages and around the world.
Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase and Fable by
Devoted exclusively to the history, culture, mythology and language of the island of Ireland, its 5000 A to Z entries include Celtic gods and goddesses, bards, beasts, literary allusions, proverbial sayings, idiomatic phrases and expressions, characters from Irish literature ancient and modern, resonant place-names, and individuals and events of 'iconic' stature in Irish history. A significant number of entries relate to contemporary Irish life and culture.
Brewer's Dictionary of Modern Phrase and Fable by
With its unique blend of word and phrase etymology, cultural allusion and general knowledge, and its predilection for the esoteric and the unexpected, this title offers a richly diverse and entertaining exploration of the linguistic and cultural landscape of the modern world. It runs the whole gamut of contemporary culture, from American Psycho to Dadaism and G and T to Lara Croft.
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable by
Much loved for its wit and wisdom since 1870, Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable takes you on a captivating adventure through its trademark blend of language, culture, myth and legend.
Creation Myths of the World by
Nearly every belief system in every part of the world has its own distinctive answers to how the world was created, often taking the form of a story or myth. These narratives offer insight into a culture's values, its world view, and its interpretations of the relationship between the individual, society, and the divine.
Dictionary of Classical Mythology by
Jenny March’s acclaimed Dictionary of Classical Mythology, first published in 1998 but long out of print, has been extensively revised and expanded including a completely new set of beautiful line-drawing illustrations for this Oxbow edition. It is a comprehensive A -- Z guide to Greek and Roman mythology. All major myths, legends and fables are here, including gods and goddesses, heroes and villains, dangerous women, legendary creatures and monsters.
Encyclopedia of Literary and Cinematic Monsters by
This concise encyclopedia provides scholars and students with a comprehensive and authoritative A-Z of monsters throughout the ages. It is the first major reference book on monsters for the scholarly market. Over 200 entries written by experts in the field are accompanied by an overview introduction by the editor. Generic entries such as 'ghost' and 'vampire' are cross-listed with important specific manifestations of that monster. This book is an invaluable resource for all students and scholars and an essential addition to library reference shelves.
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales by
Interest in folklore and fairy tales continues to grow, as evidenced by the number of new translations and anthologies being published every year. This scholarly compendium is a well-organized, well-documented introduction to the evolving field of folklore and fairy-tale studies. More than130 individuals representing various areas of expertise have contributed 670 entries that offer insights into assorted aspects of this complex genre. Signed articles are arranged in alphabetical order and run from a couple of paragraphs to several pages. The scope is multicultural and spans antiquity through modern day (including 2007 references). In the preface, editor Haase acknowledges the enormous number of possible subjects and identifies five priority inclusion criteria: representative global coverage, fundamental and essential importance, major developments in folk and fairy-tale scholarship since 1970, emerging trends in the production and reception of fairy tales, and critical but often neglected dimensions of this field. The helpful Guide to Related Topics sorts articles and provides some idea of the breadth and extent of coverage. Entries cover cultural, national, regional, and linguistic groups (African American tales,Japanese tales); more than 60 genres (Animal tale, Pantomime,Urban legend); critical terms, concepts, and approaches (Authenticity,Variant); motifs, themes, characters, and tale types (Dragon, Punishment and reward,Sleeping Beauty); media, performance, and other cultural terms (Advertising, Tourism); television, film, animation, and video (Fractured Fairy Tales, Shrek and Shrek II); and numerous individuals, including authors, collectors, illustrators, and others. Additionally, a number of articles address individual works. A list of entries and a detailed index provide additional access. Of particular note is the exhaustive Bibliography and Resources section, a 64-page listing of print and online sources. Meticulously documented and firmly grounded in scholarly research, most articles feature straightforward language and sufficient background material to be accessible to lay readers and novice researchers. This unique and timely resource is highly recommended for large public and academic collections, especially those that support literature or teacher-preparation programs or serve individuals pursuing careers or active in creative endeavors. Also available as an e-book.--McBroom, Kathleen Copyright 2008 Booklist
Thematic Guide to World Mythology by
All around the world, myths address questions that humans have always posed about their origins, their environments, their ultimate destinies, and the meanings of their lives. This book examines 30 common motifs that thread their way through mythological tales across history and around the globe. The themes are presented in alphabetical order, moving from The Afterlife and Animals in Myth to The Underworld, World Tree, and Ymir Motif. Each thematic section defines and discusses a single recognizable motif, compares a number of different mythological traditions, and traces the repeated occurrences of one of these patterns through several different categories of narratives.
The discussion of The Afterlife, for example, examines the theme's earliest known occurrences in ancient Mesopotamia and compares them with those in Greek, Aztec, Norse, and other ancient cultures, as well as with contemporary views from Innuit and Polynesian cultures. A glossary provides concise definitions of recurring terms. A list of suggested readings on these topics will further aid students who desire to deepen their knowledge of world mythology
Who's Who in Classical Mythology by
Contains extensive entries, including detailed entries on all the major gods and heroes, from Athena and Zeus to Achilles, Odysseus and Tarquin and biographical listings of all the key authors, such as Homer.
