Biblical and Classical Myths
The Mythological Framework of Western Culture
2nd Edition
Published on 6. November 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
500 pages
978-0-8020-8695-2 (ISBN)
Description
In the 1970s and 80s, Northrop Frye and Jay Macpherson co-taught a very influential course at the University of Toronto's Victoria College on the history of Western mythology - Frye focusing on the biblical myths; Macpherson on the classical. Biblical and Classical Myths recreates the thought behind that course, with Frye's lectures - unpublished until very recently - supplemented by Macpherson's popular 1962 textbook on classical mythology, Four Ages: The Classical Myths.
Frye's lectures on the Bible make up the first half of the book. He expounds on an array of topics, including translations of the bible, sexual imagery, pastoral and agricultural imagery, and law and revolution in the bible. Four Ages makes up the second half. Macpherson narrates the major classical myths from stories of creation to the myths' survival in later European traditions.
By complementing the biblical tradition with the classical, this volume imparts a comprehensive understanding of western mythology. With a preface by Alvin Lee, general editor of the Collected Works of Northrop Frye, Biblical and Classical Myths is an essential volume and represents a unique achievement in scholarship.
Frye's lectures on the Bible make up the first half of the book. He expounds on an array of topics, including translations of the bible, sexual imagery, pastoral and agricultural imagery, and law and revolution in the bible. Four Ages makes up the second half. Macpherson narrates the major classical myths from stories of creation to the myths' survival in later European traditions.
By complementing the biblical tradition with the classical, this volume imparts a comprehensive understanding of western mythology. With a preface by Alvin Lee, general editor of the Collected Works of Northrop Frye, Biblical and Classical Myths is an essential volume and represents a unique achievement in scholarship.
More details
Series
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
723 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8020-8695-2 (9780802086952)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Northrop Frye (1912-1991) was one of the twentieth century's most influential English scholars and literary critics. Northrop Frye was a professor in the Department of English at Victoria University in the University of Toronto from 1939 until his death. His works include Words with Power and Anatomy of Criticism.
Jay Macpherson is a professor emeritus in the Department of English at Victoria College, University of Toronto.
Jay Macpherson is a professor emeritus in the Department of English at Victoria College, University of Toronto.
Content
Preface to the Combined Edition by Alvin A. Lee
Symbolism in the Bible
Foreword by Robert D. Denham
An Approach to the Bible and Translations of the Bible
The Shape of the Bible
Images of Paradise: Trees and Water
Parody and Manifest Demonic: Trees and Water
Sexual Imagery: The Bride and the Bridegroom; The Great Whore and the Forgiven Harlot
Pastoral and Agricultural Imagery
The World of Angels; Leviathan, Dragons, and the Antichrist
Demonic Parodies and the Hero from across the Sea
The Double Mirror: Exodus and Gospel
The Metaphor of Kingship
King, Priest, and Prophet
The Question of Primogeniture
Genesis: In the Beginning
Genesis: Creating the Sexes; Exodus: A Revolutionary Heritage
Law: Ordering a Society
Law and Revolution; Wisdom: The Proverb
Wisdom: Playing before God; Ecclesiastes: Vanity of Vanities
Job: A Test
Job and the Question of Tragedy
Job and Restored Humanity
The Language of Proclamation: Style and Rhythm in the Bible; The Gospel: Rewriting the Commandments
Revelation: Removing the Veil
Revelation: After the Ego Disappears
The Language of Love
Maps
The Bible and Further Readings
Note on the Illustrations
Notes
Four Ages: The Classical Myths
Foreword
Introduction
1. In The Beginning
The Creation / The Golden Age / War in Heaven / The Reign of Zeus / Prometheus / Pandora's Box / Deucalion's Flood / Phaethon
II. Spring and Winter
Demeter and Persephone / Adonis / Hyacinthus / Narcissus / Orpheus
III. Loves of the Gods and Metamorphoses
Loves of Zeus: Callisto, Io / Pan and Syrinx / Apollo and Daphne / Clytie / Endymion / Arachne / Procne and Philomela / Midas' Touch / Ceyx and Alcyone / Nisus and Scylla / Philemon and Baucis
IV. The Heroes
Perseus / The Labours of Heracles / Jason and the Golden Fleece / Bellerophon and Pegasus / Theseus
V. The Royal House of Thebes
The Children of Agenor / Zeus and Semele / Ino and Athamas / Pentheus / Actaeon / Oedipus
VI. The Tale of Troy
The Apple of Discord / The War / The Fall of the City / The Returns / The Return of Menelaus / The Return of Agamemnon / The Return of Aeneas / The Return of Odysseus
VII. Cupid and Psyche
VIII. Conclusion: The Passing and Afterlife of the Gods
Family Trees
Mythology-History Chart
Sources of Quotations
Maps
Suggestions for Further Reading
Note on the Illustrations
Note on Classical Names
Notes
Pronouncing and Descriptive Index of Classical Names
Index of Biblical Subjects and Names
Symbolism in the Bible
Foreword by Robert D. Denham
An Approach to the Bible and Translations of the Bible
The Shape of the Bible
Images of Paradise: Trees and Water
Parody and Manifest Demonic: Trees and Water
Sexual Imagery: The Bride and the Bridegroom; The Great Whore and the Forgiven Harlot
Pastoral and Agricultural Imagery
The World of Angels; Leviathan, Dragons, and the Antichrist
Demonic Parodies and the Hero from across the Sea
The Double Mirror: Exodus and Gospel
The Metaphor of Kingship
King, Priest, and Prophet
The Question of Primogeniture
Genesis: In the Beginning
Genesis: Creating the Sexes; Exodus: A Revolutionary Heritage
Law: Ordering a Society
Law and Revolution; Wisdom: The Proverb
Wisdom: Playing before God; Ecclesiastes: Vanity of Vanities
Job: A Test
Job and the Question of Tragedy
Job and Restored Humanity
The Language of Proclamation: Style and Rhythm in the Bible; The Gospel: Rewriting the Commandments
Revelation: Removing the Veil
Revelation: After the Ego Disappears
The Language of Love
Maps
The Bible and Further Readings
Note on the Illustrations
Notes
Four Ages: The Classical Myths
Foreword
Introduction
1. In The Beginning
The Creation / The Golden Age / War in Heaven / The Reign of Zeus / Prometheus / Pandora's Box / Deucalion's Flood / Phaethon
II. Spring and Winter
Demeter and Persephone / Adonis / Hyacinthus / Narcissus / Orpheus
III. Loves of the Gods and Metamorphoses
Loves of Zeus: Callisto, Io / Pan and Syrinx / Apollo and Daphne / Clytie / Endymion / Arachne / Procne and Philomela / Midas' Touch / Ceyx and Alcyone / Nisus and Scylla / Philemon and Baucis
IV. The Heroes
Perseus / The Labours of Heracles / Jason and the Golden Fleece / Bellerophon and Pegasus / Theseus
V. The Royal House of Thebes
The Children of Agenor / Zeus and Semele / Ino and Athamas / Pentheus / Actaeon / Oedipus
VI. The Tale of Troy
The Apple of Discord / The War / The Fall of the City / The Returns / The Return of Menelaus / The Return of Agamemnon / The Return of Aeneas / The Return of Odysseus
VII. Cupid and Psyche
VIII. Conclusion: The Passing and Afterlife of the Gods
Family Trees
Mythology-History Chart
Sources of Quotations
Maps
Suggestions for Further Reading
Note on the Illustrations
Note on Classical Names
Notes
Pronouncing and Descriptive Index of Classical Names
Index of Biblical Subjects and Names