The Nature of Greek Myths

Theories abound. They have been seen as echoes of cosmological and meteorological events, as attempts to explain some of the odder things that go on in the world – a sort of primitive science; as stories invented to validate existing customs or institutions; as evocative tales of a creative past; as justification for primitive rituals.

Psychologists and structural anthropologists have all had a say.

Professor Kirk examines such universal theories in this Pelican. They are all, he admits, illuminating, but none is adequate by itself, because these traditional tales’ are of such variety that no single theory can embrace them all. His general analysis of the nature of myth is followed by a splendid account of the Greek myths – myths about gods, myths about heroes and, in greater detail, the myths about the unique god-hero Heracles.

In the final chapter of this unusually rigorous study Professor Kirk speculates on the manner in which an age dominated by myth gave way to an age dominated by philosophy.