Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with mythology

Won't you come in?

violetk — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:29:05 -0800

Can vampires enter the houses of other vampires without being invited in?

Recommend me a book about the Dreamtime!

Greg Nog — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:39:26 -0800

I'd like to read a book about the Dreamtime of the Australians. I was kind of thinking about reading Chatwin, but these comments have made a little wary; I don't particularly want to read about another outsider's spiritual journey, and I don't want a New Agey attempt-at-universal-religion haphazardly mixed in with basic anthropological records. Can you recommend a solid book about Dreamtime?

Who has the stories in folklaw?

emperor.seamus — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:38:25 -0800

I'm trying to remember a folktale (Possibly of native American origin) about how someone (I'm pretty sure it was a trickster figure) got to be keeper of the worlds stories. I think I first read this in "Trickster makes this world" by Lewis Hyde, and I think it was about Raven, but I honestly don't remember and I'm struggling to find the story anywhere. I know this isn't a lot to go on, but does anyone know the story I'm talking about, or a similar folktale about a character being given domain over (or stealing/tricking their way into domain over) the worlds stories?

it's all good

Arthur "Two Sheds" Jackson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:35:43 -0800

Any anthropologists, classicists, or world literature historians out there? Looking for stories (from any culture, era, or part of the globe) featuring what we would consider to be moral violations (human sacrifice, incest, slavery etc.), but which the culture or author would have considered morally righteous. Here's the tricky part: it needs to say, in the story itself, that the characters deem the act to be good. Also, it can't be a god who is doing this morally praiseworthy/blameworthy action, as I'll be asking my students to imagine how they would feel if the story from the myth happened in real life. The more "story-like" the format the better (i.e., told like a folktale or myth).

I am trying to avoid stories from the Bible, as for many students these stories would not considered hypothetical. ;)

Single stories, repositories, electronic databases, or books I could look in would all be useful. Thank you!

Find A Website: Funny Community Wiki Site w/ Case Studies of Fictional Occult Objects

sixswitch — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:09:10 -0800

The titles for the show "Hotbox" remind me of a wiki-based community site I saw a while ago. Every article on the site is a dry, passive-voice case study of some (usually hilariously dangerous) fictional occult object or person, and the site itself is allegedly run by some giant MIB-style organization. The site has very specific acronyms and vocabulary, and I can't remember any of it except that agents are called agents and there's a running joke about appropriate euphemisms for when they're killed. I can't remember much more except that all the objects are numbered from 001 up. Help!

It's a podcast about something!

Dreamcast — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:57:03 -0800

What are some educational (yet interesting) podcasts? I'm looking for some "educational" podcasts. Specifically, I'm interested in subjects like history, astronomy (preferably geared more towards laymen), mythology, and just random trivia in general.

I'm interested in hearing any favorites you might have.

Previously, of course, but that's a couple of years old.

Oh ye Gods, tell me your stories.

fantine — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:47:13 -0800

What are the best books on mythology (all kinds)? I recently read American Gods by Neil Gaiman, which I adored for its wide variety of mythological characters. While I have a good grasp of Greek and Roman gods (and a bit about the Norse gods as well), I feel like my education is lacking in the areas of Celtic gods, Hindu gods, and all other kinds of deities.

I'd love to read some non-fiction accounts OR re-tellings of myths from any culture. I found the thread on Greek/Roman books for children, but I am more interested in other mythologies.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Help me get lost in more books!

adverb — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:49:48 -0800

What books or series spur their own mythology or philosophy? I love getting lost in the world of a book or movie. Past books and series such as "Harry Potter," "The Da Vinci Code," "Lost," "The Matrix" movies, "Buffy" and "Star Wars" come with their own universe - people analyze them, look for mythological/philosophical undertones, solve puzzles and come up with their own theories. What others (books especially) might I like? I've read "Lord of the Rings" and the Narnia books; I'm not a Trekkie, either. His Dark Materials and Dune failed to capture my fancy.

x-files alert: Looking for a track featuring a monotone narrator explaining the entire X-Files conspiracy mythology.

codybaldwin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:54:40 -0800

Does anyone know of a spoken word explanation track that explains the entire mythology of the X-Files? Years and years ago, back when I had Napster and it was the cool thing, I downloaded this song on a whim. It may have been called "tenthirteen" or "xfiles". I think it was actually narrated by the creator, and at the time I was listening to Propellerheads and other bands on the official soundtrack (as well as a lot of the late 90's alt. genre, which I have sense lost track of). It's in a completely monotone voice, and basically covers anything from the long plot of the movie regarding the alien hybrids, the black oil, and everything in between--the entire conspiracy mythology. Thanks in advance for any help.

Looking for childhood Encyclopedia set.

studentbaker — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:46:40 -0800

I’m trying to remember the name of a set of themed encyclopedias for children from my childhood. Each book focused on a particular theme and had amazing illustrations and images that blew my little mind. The themes I can remember were dinosaurs, the ocean, plants, mammals, reptiles and I believe there was one focused on Native Americans and another on space exploration. I think I had around fifteen to twenty of the books. Each book was a different color. I think a new one came every year or six months, or maybe as my parents could afford them. This was in the late 70's, early 80's.

My mom gave them to a coworker for his children when I was in high school. I recently asked her about the books and she barely remembers books them, let alone the name. I would love to track down and purchase a set.

"I come from the blue ... "

paduasoy — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:18:23 -0800

Looking for a particular French poem about Aphrodite. I studied this poem about fifteen years ago in a translation class. We looked at the French version and then at two different English translations. I'm fairly sure it was a twentieth-century poem. All I remember is a line from one of the English versions where Aphrobite said "I come from the blue ... ", and that the exclamation "O azure" was in there somewhere.

It's not Valéry's "Au Platane" or Hocquard's "Elegy VI".

No relation? Or the same thing?

FatherDagon — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:32:26 -0800

Mythology/historical question - I'm looking for the interrelation and correlation between Astarte and Astaroth. Wiki states that the Jewish demonization of Astarte became Ashtoreth, a demoness of lust etc etc. Astaroth, however, is a male force with completely different domains and influences. Is it just an unlikely coincidence that these two god/demons have identical names and come from the same region, or is there some cultural transition between the two forms? Basically, I'd like to see some sort of genealogical tree of ideas and regions that indicates the connection, if there is one.

Help me find some good mythology books to read to my kids

Jonsnews — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:52:41 -0800

I'm looking for some good mythology books to read to my kids. I grew up reading greek mythology, and I would like some suggestions of good greek (and non-greek) mythology books that break the stories up into sections. I have a few books on my shelf, but I would consider them a bit higher level then what I am looking for. So what books do you suggest?
Optimally they would cover from creation forward.
Online resources are welcome as well.

Thanks!

Recommended ancient classic literature for beginners

rocks009 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:38:08 -0800

Where do I start with ancient classic literature, especially accessible versions of mythological or vaguely historical tales? Preferably from Anglo-Saxon or Norse traditions, but I'm open to anything really good. The only pre-19th Century classics I had to read in school were by Shakespeare. I enjoyed them and moved on. But now I see that I missed a whole world of classic literature. I have always been fascinated by the the Arthurian legends and started to read Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur once, but struggled with it - I am about to try John Steinbeck's take on the Arthurian legends, which seems a bit more accessible. I really enjoyed Marco Polo recently (The Penguin Classics version), and have just discovered Beowulf. Of the plethora of works out there, which are the best and most enjoyable reads?

Extra credit for pointing me to translations/interpretations that are enjoyable for a non-scholar, while still reflecting the original essence.

Screenwriting: cinema and myth?

sumo — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:58:27 -0800

Academic papers and books on the topic of myth in screenwriting? Screenwriting and myth, either academic papers, studies or books specifically on this topic.

Mythical archetypes, monomyth, critiscism of the monomyth theory. At this point I think academic papers on it would help, I don´t have any practice reasearching north-american academia.

I am building a presentation and a paper on it for my graduation here in Brazil, but material in portuguese is very scarce, so I am looking for english sources.

Also, any tips on a case study of a classic movie?

Mythology?

xmutex — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:41:35 -0800

Do we have any evidence about whether people believed in the gods of Greek & Roman mythology as people today believe in the gods of Christianity, Islam, etc?

Star Wars did a pretty good job at this too...

Navelgazer — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:30:51 -0800

A question about creating literary mythologies and the antagonistic forces within them. I'm working on a couple of different stories at the moment, which are both ostensibly set in the "real world," but which both also peel back a layer to an either mystical/invented theological level (for one of them) or a cabal-type political level (for the other one) pulling the strings behind them. In both cases, for obvious reasons, the mythology behind these worlds is part and parcel with the origins and motivations behind the antagonists.

I know the tenets of story design quite well, and am a super-nerd for structure and all of the things that can be done with it, but I just can't quite find the rhyme or reason (if there is any) to how one properly sets up a comprehensive, yet finite, world which also defines the villain within it, and yet doesn't fall into over-exposition about the elements of that world (particularly once the pieces should all be in place and things should keep moving along without bringing in extra elements.)

Some examples of what works for me and doesn't:

Lord of the Rings: There are peaceful parts of Middle Earth, and evil parts, and the only place for the One Ring, the most evil of artifacts, to be destroyed, is in the most evil and dangerous part of Middle Earth where it was created. Thus the story takes the Hero deeper and deeper into danger as he moves along: Brilliant

Harry Potter: At once a world of magic, but more importantly a political world, where pure-blood supremacists fight against the egalitarians, all portrayed well within the microcosm of Hogwarts, with boundaries slowly ever-expanding to the greater, and similar, world outside its walls: also brilliant

Battlestar Galactica: Small group of survivors from different planets with different religious readings and different philosophies having to try to work together against a common outside force, which they don't understand: Very nice. The readings of the scriptures of the Lords of Kobol, and the Cylon monotheism, however, have never had a clear backbone and may be used to fit whatever is necessary, so not as nice.

His Dark Materials: Works like gangbusters at first, when it sets up the Daemons and the politics at Oxford and with the church essentially trying to destroy puberty, and then runs off the rails as it continues to introduce new elements (like the land of the dead and all that entails) in the final installment.

What I'm asking for is not how to create something unique - if I can't do that then I have no business writing to begin with - but rather what common elements and Meta-ideas I need to be looking into in order to create a functional world.

What sort of glory?

clockzero — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:16:41 -0800

The etymology of Greek "glory" names... I'm just wondering what the sense of names like "Heracles," "Cleopatra," and so, is. How is Heracles, the son of Zeus and apparently perennial irritant to Hera, associated with her and glory, for example? Is there an explanation, or am I being presumptuous?

What colleges offer a doctorate in comparative myth?

jackypaper — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:15:39 -0800

What schools other than Pacifica offer a Ph.D. program in comparative mythology? My Google-fu has failed me. I understand that certain institutions offer interdisciplinary studies that can be bent in the direction of mythology, as can certain programs in English. But I can't seem to find any that offer the richness of mythological courses found at Pacifica. Surely that isn't the only university out there!

Beyond black cats and four-leaf clovers

Andrhia — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:39:46 -0800

Got any great books about luck? I'm looking for books or other great reference material about luck, chance, fortune, that certain something that makes the cards fall your way (or not). Not interested in pareidolia or confirmation bias - no science, please! Not really interested in numerology or kabbalah, either. What I want is folklore, superstition, mythology, from as many cultures and periods as possible. Particular emphasis on actions you can take to make your luck better or worse, and the more obscure the better.

Pickings seem to be slim so far, but there has to be something out there like that, right? ...Right?

Finished the first novel, in research mode for the second. :)

Book recomendation

scubbadubba — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:57:14 -0800

I'm looking for a good reference book on the Phoenix (mythological bird), preferably with plenty of color pictures, as this is for a child. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Quick and Dirty guide to the Literary Canon

Phire — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:29:19 -0800

I'm looking for a concise and readable overview/guide of what could be considered "classic literature" for a mature ESL student. Ideally, after reading this guide, said student would be able to pick up on allusions to the more common mythologies/deities (Greek, Roman, Norse, etc.), as well as passing references to commonly studied works held in high academic regard. Think Dickens, Tolstoy, Orwell, and the like. A quick overview of the 'big' names in the Bible would be helpful, too.

Essentially I'm hoping for a quick and dirty guide to all/many of the pieces of literature that someone would've studied in the Elementary to High School English curriculum. The guide doesn't need to be very detailed - a plot synopsis and two lines about each of the main characters would do.

Not that this guide would be a substitute to actually reading the works, but it would at least provide a starting point for furthering a literary education for someone who works full-time and is feeling the effects of not being 'in' on all the jokes.

I tried to think of a pun involving keys and Odin, but drew a blank.

phaded — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:40:54 -0800

MythologyFilter: In Norse mythology, is there an object that serves as the 'key' to anything important? Being the good nerd that I am, the name of my (Windows) computer and my hard drives are all taken from Norse mythology. My computer's name is Yggdrasil, my boot volume is Asgard, my music drive is Midgard, and my spare hard drive, which contains an old installation of XP, is Niflheim.

I have a thumb drive that I'm currently using as a key to unlock my password database file, and since I'd like to continue with my naming scheme, I wanted to name it after the key to something important, if such a thing exists in Norse mythology. However, my knowledge of said mythology consists of what I learned in part of a mythology class I took in college a couple years ago, so I'm guessing that there are people here who know more about this than I do. Googling/Wikipedia-ing didn't help me out very much, so I am instead turning to the hive mind.

Recommend some 9/11 literature

archimago — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:31:53 -0800

Please recommend some 9/11 literature. I'm teaching a lit class soon and would like to incorporate some short stories/poems about 9/11. Please help me with a reading list! I'll be using them in a module I am teaching on mythology/lore and how modern mythologies are created.

What destroyed itself, only to emerge better? And don't say Paris Hilton.

ferociouskitty — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:53:26 -0800

Mythology (?) question: I'm looking for a story or creature that must destroy or consume itself in order to either become stronger or to reveal its true form/essence. I'm interested in transformations in general, but I'm really hoping to find something that plays up the self-destruction. Can be from any culture's mythology. A few of the things I've considered, but aren't quite right are: koi dragon, butterfly, phoenix, ouroboros.

Bonus points if it's visually cool, as I started thinking about this when I was contemplating my next tattoo.