MYTHOLOGY

by Edith Hamilton ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 6, 1942

Rather a sweeping title for a book of which nine tenths of the space is given to the classic myths, one tenth to the Norse myths, and nothing to mythology of the rest of the world. Aside from this matter of definition, it is a first rate scholarly handling of material, most of which is familiar from childhood. An introduction explains her approach, the selection of the versions as handled best, whether by ""esiod, Virgil, Ovid, Pindar, Aeschylus, Aristophanes and of course, Homer. Then a section is devoted to what is virtually a dictionary of the characters of Greek mythology. The actual myths follow, with each section preceded by a paragraph explaining the origin, the source of material, etc. Myths of creation, flower myths, hero myths, Trojan War, Odysseus, myths of the House of Atreus, of Thebes, and so on. All the favorite and familiar stories are here, and many less familiar. Having been brought up on the assumption that culture and breeding were intimately linked with complete familiarity with Greek mythology (I hold no brief for the theory -- simply state the fact), I found this delightful.

Pub Date: May 6, 1942

ISBN: 0316341142

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1942

Categories: NONFICTION