Power of Myths
Myths are probably one of the most misunderstood phenomena because of their slightly absurd and almost unreal elements. While ancient myths may have lost their glory to many, they are still considered important by people like Joseph Campbell who have tried to unearth the mystery surrounding them. Campbell in his book Power of Myth has tried to highlight just that- 'power of myths'. Why are myths important, what function do they serve, what is their connection to our modern lives and reality. These are some of the questions that Campbell seeks to answer in his book, which is actually a series of dialogues with Bill Moyers.
The author has tried to explain why myths play n important role in our lives even today when apparently most of us have lost interest in ancient mythology. Campbell explains, "These bits of information from ancient times, which have to do with the themes that have supported human life, built civilizations, and informed religions over the millennia, have to do with deep inner problems, inner mysteries, inner thresholds of passage, and if you don't know what the guide-signs are along the way, you have to work it out yourself. But once this subject catches you, there is such a feeling, from one or another of these traditions, of information of a deep, rich, life-vivifying sort that you don't want to give it up." (Chapter 1, Myth and the Modern world)
Joseph Campbell is of the view that myths are intricately connected with our modern loves because they give us a sense of purpose and help us understand ourselves,. By reading about ancient heroes, vampires and vamps, we are likely to develop a better understating of what human nature is and how wild or dark it can be. Similarly they also help us unearth the positive extremes of ma's character because essentially all myths are highly...
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Myths Myth of Marriage and Children Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth is a book that can potentially transform the reader's consciousness. Beyond being informative, Campbell's analysis of cultural myths is profound; it provokes genuine introspection. The author refers to the spiritual in whatever he speaks about, and yet he never lapses into religious diatribe or dogma. Subjects like marriage are elevated beyond the social to the psycho-spiritual. For example, he calls
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