A reading club with a view to the future

092 Grant L. Voth: Great Mythologies of the World

This course provides an introduction to the mythologies of different cultures and how they continue to influence our lives.

Grant L. Voth: Great Mythologies of the World

Summary

Great Mythologies of the World is a comprehensive course that explores the most important myths and legends from around the world. From the creation stories of ancient Egypt to the hero's journey of ancient Greece, this course offers a broad overview of the role of mythology in human culture. The course delves into the psychological, social, and spiritual meanings behind the myths, and how they have influenced art, literature, and other aspects of our culture.

About

Title: Great Mythologies of the World

Author: Grant L. Voth, Julius H. Bailey, Kathryn McClymond, Robert André LaFleur

Publishing Year: 2015

Publisher: The Great Courses

Length in hours: 31 hours and 36 minutes

5 main ideas

  1. Mythology is a way for humans to make sense of the world and their place in it.
  2. Myths and legends are cultural artifacts that reflect the values and beliefs of a particular society.
  3. Many myths share common themes and archetypes that have persisted throughout human history.
  4. Mythology has been used to explain natural phenomena, establish social norms, and promote moral behavior.
  5. Myths continue to influence our culture today, from Hollywood blockbusters to religious traditions.

5 funny quotes

  1. "I'm like a mythological figure with a computer." - Iggy Pop
  2. "I'm not an oracle. I'm not a mythological figure." - Elena Kagan
  3. "Mythology is not a monotone canvas painted by a single painter. It is more like a rich and colourful tapestry woven by the interaction of many talented weavers." - Ian M. Slater
  4. "I'm not saying I'm Wonder Woman. I'm just saying no one has ever seen me and Wonder Woman in the same room together." - Unknown
  5. "I'm convinced that I am a mythological character, living out my myth on this plane of existence." - Chris Kattan

5 thought-provoking quotes​

  1. "Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths." - Joseph Campbell
  2. "Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth–penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words." - Joseph Campbell
  3. "The myth is the public dream and the dream is the private myth." - Joseph Campbell
  4. "Myths are stories that explain something about a culture or a worldview." - Jason M. Satterfield
  5. "Myths are the oldest and most universal means of explaining the world around us." - Jason M. Satterfield

5 dilemmas

  1. Balancing truth and myth in the modern world
  2. How to reconcile different mythologies and cultural beliefs
  3. The ethical implications of using mythology for political or social purposes
  4. The role of myth in shaping personal identity and worldview
  5. The tension between scientific explanations and mythological explanations for natural phenomena.

5 examples

  1. The story of Hercules and his 12 labors
  2. The myth of Osiris and Isis in ancient Egyptian mythology
  3. The story of Pandora's box in Greek mythology
  4. The creation myth of the Abrahamic religions
  5. The story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in Mesopotamian mythology

Referenced books

  1. "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell
  2. "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers
  3. "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
  4. "Bulfinch's Mythology" by Thomas Bulfinch
  5. "The Masks of God" series by Joseph Campbell

Share a quote

"Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths."

Become a NextBook Insider

Join our community to access exclusive content, comment on stories, participate in giveaways, and more.