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Cover

Mythology

The Voyage of the Hero

Third Edition

David Adams Leeming

Publication Date - 28 May 1998

ISBN: 9780195119572

288 pages
Paperback
6-1/8 x 9-1/4 inches

In Stock

A wide-ranging survey of myths focusing on the voyage of the hero, from Birth, through Trial and Quest, to Death, Descent, Rebirth, and Ascension

Description

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 underlining the theory that myths are 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.

New to this Edition

  • Updated to include additional heroine myths, as well as Navajo, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, and African tales.

Features

  • Ideal for course use

About the Author(s)

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.

Reviews

"A wonderfully well arranged collection...that offer[s] up the whole subject....It should be useful, not only for classroom study, but also for anyone wishing to advance his knowledge of this vast subject. I shall be recommending it from now on to people asking me what I read."--Joseph Campbell

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