Theories of Mythology / Edition 1

by Eric Csapo

Overview

Csapo (classics, U. of Toronto) introduces the major schools of mythological interpretation along with their theories, methods, insights, and shortcoming: comparative approaches, psychology, ritual theories, structuralism, and ideology. He exemplifies each by one or two key or founding figures; explains their theories, sets them in their social and historical contexts, then criticizes them; and describes, exemplifies, and problematizes their methods of analysis. His samples are all from Greek myth or stories likely to be known to readers without a background in either mythology or the classics. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900631232482
Publication date:	01/24/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.05(w) x 9.08(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Eric Csapo is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto. He is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on ancient Greek drama, theatre, myth, religion, and society, including The Context of Ancient Drama (co-authored, 1995).

Table of Contents

List of Figures.

Preface.

1. Introducing “Myth”.

2. Comparative Approaches:.

The Rise of the Comparative Method.

Max Müller and Solar Mythology.

James Frazer.

The World According to Frazer: Problems and Presuppositions.

The Urmyth: A Study in and of Comparison.

Comparison of the Greek and Hittite Myths of the Divine Succession.

3. Psychology:.

Freud and the Discovery of the Unconscious.

Psychoanalysis to Myth Analysis.

Freud and Anthropology.

Freud in his Social and Theoretical Context.

4. Ritual Theories:.

Social Anthropology.

Jane Harrison and Ritualism.

Walter Burkert and Biosociology.

Burkert’s Homo Necans.

5. Structuralism:.

Saussure and Structural Linguistics.

Syntagmatic Structuralism.

A Critique of Syntagmatic Structuralism.

Paradigmatic Structuralism.

Mediation.

Total Structure.

Totalizing Structure.

6. Social Ideologies:.

Structure and Ideology.

Poststructualisms, Postmodernism, and Ideology.

Decrypting Ideology.

An Ideological Analysis of the Myth of Heracles.

Epilogue.

A Little Further Reading.

Bibliography.

Index

Editorial Reviews

"I have rarely been in a position to recommend a book with more enthusiasm. It is an extremely lucid introduction to theories of myth and is accessible to those with no prior knowledge. The book is the most comprehensive of its kind - and the most useful." Robert L. Fowler, University of Bristol

"An integrated, historical, broad-based, wide-ranging general study of the interpretation of myth that covers all the major schools and shows how they relate to one another, grow out of one another and are still interesting today. He enlightens his deep understanding with wit and delight and a clear, lucent style. A superb achievement." Barry Powell, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"What Csapo has done is lucid, illuminating, refreshing and extremely informative. I recommend it to anyone looking for an intellectually engaging overview of theories of interpretation of myth." University of Toronto Quarterly

"It should certainly be in all academic libraries." Journal of Classics Teaching

"It is a pity that J.G. Frazer appropriated the title "The Golden Bough". This image is far better suited to Csapo's luminous guide through a forest difficult to see for the trees." Phoenix

From the Publisher