From Ritual to Romance
Published on 1. November 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-59605-323-6 (ISBN)
Description
From Ritual to Romance is a landmark study of anthropology and folklore that examines the roots of the King Arthur-Holy Grail legends. Jessie L. Weston's revolutionary theory holds that most elements of the Grail story are actually the remnants of incredibly old fertility rites -- with the lance and the cup serving as sexual symbols.
Drawing on James George Frazer's seminal works on folklore, magic, and religion, Weston seeks to make connections between the legend's early pagan elements and its later Christian influences, uniting the quest for fertility with the striving for mystical oneness with God. T.S. Elliot cited this work as a major influence for his famous epic poem, "The Waste Land."
JESSIE LAIDLAY WESTON (1850-1928) was an independent scholar and folklorist who specialized in mediaeval Arthurian texts.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
293 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-59605-323-6 (9781596053236)
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