Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero - Softcover

Leeming, David Adams

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9780060439422: Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060439424 ISBN 13: 9780060439422

Publisher: Harpercollins College Div, 1980

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What makes something mythic? What do mythic events and narratives have to do with us? In Mythology, David Leeming offers an unusual and effective approach to the subject of mythology by stressing universal themes through myths of many cultures. This anthology collects a wide array of narrative texts from the Bible to English literature to interpretations by Joseph Campbell, C.G. Jung, and others, which illustrate how myths serve whole societies in our universal search for meaning. Leeming illustrates the various stages or rites of passage of the mythic universal hero, from birth to childhood, through trial and quest, death, descent, rebirth, and ascension. The arrangement of texts by themes such as "Childhood, Initiation and Divine Signs," "The Descent to the Underworld," and "Resurrection and Rebirth" strip mythic characters of their many national and cultural "masks" to reveal their archetypal aspects. Real figures, including Jesus and Mohammed, are also included underli

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From the Back Cover:

In Mythology, David Leeming offers an unusual and effective approach to the subject of mythology by stressing universal themes through myths of many cultures. This anthology collects a wide array of narrative texts from the Bible to English literature to interpretations by Joseph Campbell, C.G. Jung, and others, which illustrate how myths serve whole societies in our universal search for meaning. Leeming illuminates the various stages or rites of passage of the universal mythic hero, from birth to childhood, through trial and quest, death, descent, rebirth, and ascension. Real figures, including Jesus and Mohammed, are included, underlining the theory that myths are psychically real and can be applied to real life. This edition is updated to include additional heroine myths, as well as Navajo, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, and African tales. Myths might be called the dreams of humankind, Leeming writes. With Mythology, he provides an essential resource not only for those wishing to advance their knowledge of this vast subject, but for anyone who wants to better understand the human psyche.

About the Author:

David Adams Leeming is Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. He is the author of numerous books including The World of Myth, and A Dictionary of Creation Myths. He resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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