Myth Theorized

Myth Theorized provides a survey of key figures and topics in the modern study of myth, including psychoanalysis, hero myths, natural science, politics, and synchronicity. It argues that Freud and Jung are more akin than opposed, that hero myths transform the figure to whom they are applied, that the theories of Frazer, Rene Girard, and Walter Burkert make violence in religion natural, and that James Lovelock has brought myth back to the world through the Gaia theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2023
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

Myth Theorized is a comprehensive exploration of some prominent figures and themes in the contemporary study of myth. The book begins by delving into the psychoanalysis of myth, encompassing a chapter on the remarkable transformations that psychoanalytic theory has undergone, as well as one on Otto Rank and his pivotal departure from Freud, which significantly shifted the focus of psychoanalysis, including myth, from the Oedipal stage to the pre-Oedipal one. This section concludes with a chapter that posits that Freud and Jung are more aligned than opposed.

The subsequent section examines hero myths, providing a detailed historical overview of the study of these narratives. It surveys various approaches to hero myths by Otto Rank, Joseph Campbell, and Lord Raglan. The author then applies Rank and Raglan's theories to the life of the first king of Israel, Saul, demonstrating how their frameworks transform the figure to which they are applied.

The subsequent part of the book explores the relationship between myth and natural science, encompassing a discussion of the diverse viewpoints that have emerged over the past 150 years. These perspectives include those of EB Tylor, JG Frazer, Claude Levi-Strauss, and Karl Popper.

The next section delves into the intersection of myth and politics, assessing Bruce Lincoln's Theorizing Myth and Robert Ellwood's The Politics of Myth. The final chapter in this section argues that the theories of Frazer, Rene Girard, and Walter Burkert all posit that violence in religion is natural rather than unnatural.

The final part of the book examines the Jungian concept of synchronicity, utilizing DW Winnicott's notion of make-believe to support the argument that Hollywood stars and their treatment as gods can be said to bring divinity back to the world. It also raises the question of whether James Lovelock has reintroduced myth to the world through his Gaia theory.

Overall, Myth Theorized offers a rich and insightful examination of myth, exploring its psychological, historical, and political dimensions, and shedding light on the enduring relevance of these narratives in contemporary society.

Weight: 3116g
Dimension: 234 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781798638