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From Ritual to Romance: History of the Holy Grail Legend (Forgotten Books)

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Jessie L. Weston's book "From Ritual to Romance" written in 1920, is a seminal work on ancient religion, roots of early Christianity, and examines the story of the Holy Grail by exploring the legend's Gnostic roots. This book had a crucial influence on four important works of the twentieth century: T. S. Elliott's poem the Waste Land, Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces, Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code, and Francis Ford Coppolla's movie Apocalypse Now, screenplay by John Milius.

Weston wrote fourteen books on Arthurian legends throughout her life. This is her last book, which sums up her Grail theory, which fusses ideas from J. G. Frazier's book The Golden Bough and Gnostic texts that serve as a link to early Christianity's influence from ancient nature cults. Her chapter titles say much about where her work goes and why it is so influential on iconic twentieth century works. The Task of the Hero explains the original nature of the task imposed upon the hero, it undoubtedly influenced both Campbell's and Coppola's works. Medieval and Modern Forms of Nature Ritual looks to establish a chain of descent connecting early Aryan and Babylonian ritual with classic, Medieval and modern forms of nature worship. The Symbols searches Grail symbology throughout history. The Medicine Man explains the role of the Medicine Man or doctor in fertility ritual. The Fisher King analyzes how this title is prevalent in so many of humankind's legends, and was a definite influence on Coppola's Colonel Kurtz character. Mysteries of the Secret of the Holy Grail and its regard as an object of awe certainly influenced The Da Vinci Code.

Weston's book is interesting and fun to read. I especially became interested in it from the movie Apocalypse Now. There is a scene in the movie that shows Colonel Kurtz's nightstand in his cave. Weston's book is one of three on the nightstand. The other two are Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which the film is based on. The other book is J. G. Frazier's book The Golden Bough. Anyone wanting to understand the movie Apocalypse Now, especially the character of Colonel Kurtz, and what Milius and Copolla are trying to tell their audience need to read these three books!

As a graduate student reading in philosophy and history I recommend this book for anyone interested in literature, myth, history, philosophy, religion and fans of Apocalypse Now.

This is a classic text on the Grail Legend, credited by many as an inspiration for T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land".