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Much in the same way a folkloric court jester combined wisdom and folly. Is there an iconic character (folklore, mythology, or world history) who could typically walked with kings and commoners alike?
posted by omar.a on Mar 3, 2020 - 46 answers

Is there a story in the Bible or elsewhere in literature or myth about a person who wants to do many things, but is thwarted, by all sorts of forces, and ends up doing only one? [more inside]
posted by Clotilde on Aug 16, 2014 - 12 answers

For a project I'm currently working on as part of my graduation in Graphic Design, I wanted to compile something like an atlas of fictional cities. These may be from books, legends, stories, video games, advertisements, comics, really whatever... Even "real" cities but alternate versions, imagined or in some way deviate from their real counterpart are valid. [more inside]
posted by ahtlast93 on May 18, 2013 - 47 answers

I'm looking for some good armageddons. I'm MCing an End-of-the-World poetry reading on December 21st and I want to read a few short passages from apocalyptic texts. I've already settled on the Book of Revelations and Ragnarök, but I'd like to cast a wide net and find some non-Western and/or non-religious/mythological descriptions of the end times. Can you recommend a good doomsday for me to read?
posted by Kattullus on Dec 17, 2012 - 26 answers

I'm looking for a book that is essentially a mashup of behavioral economics, social psychology, neuroscience, wisdom/bible literature, and mythology. [more inside]
posted by Slacker Manager on May 23, 2012 - 13 answers

Asking for a friend: Need a character from mythology, literature, the Bible, etc. who, unbeknownst to him/her, is inflicted with some sort of curse/poison but doesn't find out until much later. For details on why Oedipus doesn't quite work, you should see... [more inside]
posted by Saxon Kane on Feb 2, 2012 - 18 answers

Please tell me, what is the best English translation of the Mahabharata? I'm not particularly concerned that it be a verse translation. I would prefer something that's available in electronic form (for reading on my Nook). Something that's public domain, and therefore available on Google books, even better. But these are preferences, not hard requirements. I'm more concerned with reliability of the translation. [more inside]
posted by Ipsifendus on Nov 12, 2010 - 5 answers

Looking for a particular French poem about Aphrodite. [more inside]
posted by paduasoy on Feb 21, 2009 - 4 answers

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. [more inside]
posted by rocks009 on Oct 3, 2008 - 26 answers

A question about creating literary mythologies and the antagonistic forces within them. [more inside]
posted by Navelgazer on Jul 4, 2008 - 17 answers

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.
posted by scubbadubba on Nov 27, 2007 - 2 answers

I'm looking for a concise and readable overview/guide of what could be considered "classic literature" for a mature ESL student. [more inside]
posted by Phire on Nov 15, 2007 - 7 answers

Please recommend some 9/11 literature. [more inside]
posted by archimago on Sep 18, 2007 - 17 answers

Wikipedia posits the mid- to late-1800s as the time when we first started seeing time travel in literature. Are there older examples? Is there an analog from antiquity -- some similar concept articulated in an ancient culture or mythology? A folk tale?
posted by blueshammer on Nov 20, 2006 - 13 answers

The Protagonist: What can you tell me? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jun 8, 2006 - 17 answers

What are some great novels and/or myths that feature two heroes? [more inside]
posted by _sirmissalot_ on Apr 13, 2004 - 32 answers