This classic work of Joseph Campbell deals with two ideas: the monomyth and the cosmogonic cycle. The monomyth (also known as the hero’s journey) is a mythological archetypal story found around the world. Campbell’s at-the-time novel work systemizes the understanding of the monomyth. According to him, the monomyth has three major rites of passage: separation, initiation and return. Under these rites of passage Campbell develops his systematization of mythic understanding. Under the part of separation are five themes: (1) The Call to Adventure, (2) Refusal of the Call, (3) Supernatural Aid, (4) The Crossing of the First Threshold, and (5) The Belly of the Whale. Under initiation are six themes: (1) The Road to Trials, (2) The Meeting with the Goddess, (3) Woman as the Temptress, (4) Atonement with the Father, (5) Apotheosis, and (6) The Ultimate Boon. Under the part of return are also six themes: (1) Refusal of the Return, (2) The Magic Flight, (3) Rescue from Without, (4) The Crossing of the Return Threshold, (5) Master of the Two Worlds, and (6) Freedom to Live.
According to Campbell, myths shouldn’t be understood as scientific of historical thought, for it renders the story from its deeper interpretations and understanding. Using his systematization of the monomyth we can look at old myths in a new light. The author uses the scientific research of noted scholars such as Sigmund Freud, Carl G. Jung, Wilhelm Stekel, Otto Rank, Karl Abraham and Géza Róheim. His arguments are wisely and adamantly placed, making it impossible to refute his scholarly research as mere superstition.
The book, although it provides explanations to well known myths, is of intermediate difficulty to read. It isn’t lengthy as James Frazer’s work (and doesn’t even give exhaustible examples of myths) but his argumentation and connection of different themes, motifs and archetypes between stories with eons between is difficult to grasp at first. Even when Campbell is exclusively describing a part of the hero’s journey, all the mythological themes are connected, and therefore it is important to keep in mind all the aspects of the journey at once. His perspective isn’t orthodox in nature, so you will find similarities between characters of various myths, such as Buddha and Jesus. The other part of his analysis is the cosmogonic cycle. In there he polishes is thesis developed in the monomyth part, focused in the understanding of the cycles of death and rebirth.
The book contains endnotes, footnotes, an index and a bibliography divided in four parts: his main bibliography, editions of sacred texts he cited, journals and works he cited without information on edition. It is well written and maintains the thesis it puts forth at the introduction. It is a highly recommended book for those interested in story and myth. Those who read Mircea Eliade, James Frazer or Carl G. Jung will find it in their interest to dig into this book.
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Perfect
I ordered this book for a mythology class and it arrived pretty quickly. Personally, it’s a difficult book for me to fully understand. I need to be really focused and reread it a few times to kind of get it so there’s that. But it’s definitely interesting.
Top reviews from other countries
Patrícia da Silva Porto
Para quem gosta e se interessa por mitologia
Reviewed in Brazil on March 25, 2024Aida
Libro maravilloso
Reviewed in Mexico on May 25, 2022
Aida
Reviewed in Mexico on May 25, 2022
El precio lo vale, es un libro indispensable para cualquier persona interesada en creación de personaje o historias.
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