Essays and Research Papers on World Mythology

A 5 page paper which examines Joseph Campbell’s notion of monomyth as seen in his work The Power of Myth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing 'The Mythic Image' by Joseph Campbell. The author uses many types of art to illustrate many differences, but mostly similarities, in the ways of myth. He addresses issues of religion, enlightenment, and dreaming among others. His work is highly detailed and intriguing.

This 5 page paper discusses the ancient religion of Isis. History, myth, and influences discussed. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 15 page discussion of the critical components of the ancient Egyptian's belief in an afterlife. Notes that much of our contemporary knowledge regarding ancient Egyptian culture is based on archaeological findings. Among the most interesting of these findings are those which relate to the elaborate worship rituals of the Egyptians, rituals which to ...

A 4 page paper discussing the existence of the mythopoetic mind as defined by Mircea Eliade. To Eliade, all mythology was created as a bridge from the human to the divine. Mythology, in his belief, was sacred history, and no matter what the culture, myths provided answers to the deep philosophical questions of who we ...

This 5 page report discusses and compares the similarities and differences between historical and literary heroes such as King Arthur and heroes such as Aeneas, Hector, and Achilles. The heroic tradition implies a pattern of story telling that begins with a hero in unusual circumstances, the search or quest, the transformation of the hero and a resolution. Bibliography lists 4 sources. ...

This 7 page paper discusses the role of myth within a good story: Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Aurel. The importance of archetypal image is discussed, as well as the perception that writing is the key to human consciousness as shown in Walter Ong's Orality and Literacy: ...

This 5 page report discusses Steven Barnes 2002 book, “Lion’s Blood” which deals with an alternate history universe in which Africa colonized the Americas, bringing European slaves with them. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper reviews these two myths from ancient India and Mesopotamia noting the differences that exist in relation to how the gods interact with humans. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

(5pp) Sherri Tepper's cast of both ordinary and extraordinary people play out in her powerful 1988 novel, whose significance goes beyond sex, to deal with the toughest problem of all, the challenge of surmounting humanity's most dangerous flaws so we can survive together - despite ourselves. despite ourselves.

(5 pp) Philosophers are always asking themselves questions. What a philosopher is trying to do, is figure out the way in which people understand the world, or their sense and place of reality in the world. The German philosopher, Ernst Cassirer (1874- 1945) felt that we use mentally created symbols to understand our ...

6 pages in length. The treatment of women in Indian mythology compared with that of Greek and Roman mythology proves to be not all that different from one another. Women, in general mythological terms, are primarily in existence to act as man's servant, both menially and sexually. To go so far as ...

11 pages in length. A comprehensive overview of themes in Native Indian mythology. Examined are various mythological objects, the value of dreams, and more. It is emphasized that different tribes each had their own brand of myth -- Analyzed in specific detail are the myths of the Aztecs who, in their stories, formulated an entire ...

A 10 page orientation to ancient mythology and a comparison of Sumarian and Classic Mythology. Bibliography lists nine sources.

This 6 page paper examines the comic book genre to determine if contemporary comic books are representative of modern mythology or are merely pure escapism. Bibliography includes 6 sources.

In 6 pages, the writer discusses examples of Trickster myths from two different cultures and demonstrates their distinguishing factors, as well as what they each have in common. They are the closest to the arche, or the beginning of the world of human consciousness. This is a time of ambiguity and ambivalence, when chaos ...

An 8 page paper discussing the narrative style of myths in different cultures. There are differing views among scholars and anthropologists concerning the structure of myths. The writer explores these disparities in great detail. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this excellently-prepared 7 page essay, the writer argues that motifs in modern stories such as Superman are actually derived from those of ancient mythology. Comparisons are made between Superman's weakness for Krypton and Achilles' heel... -or--the Norse god Balder,-- who was immune to everything except mistletoe. Moreover, just as Theseus had Ariadne, Superman ...

A 6 page paper that explores the legends surrounding the Greek god Apollo and discusses the religious rituals practiced in his worship. The nature of the symbols of the bow, the laurel, and the lyre that are traditionally associated with Apollo are explained. Apollo's early use of music therapy is also explored. ...

A 5 page research paper that examines mythology as interpreted by historian Joseph Campbell. According to Campbell, mythology represents ancient intuitive understanding of certain archetypal or "elementary ideas" that still speak to the human condition even in modern times. The writer demonstrates how this fits in with the ideas of Carl Jung and Adolf Bastian. ...

This 3 page essay discusses the validity of Jung's belief that mental or emotional disturbances are attempts to find wholeness. The writer notes that such a theory can be applied beyond the individual and to American society in general. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper comparing and contrasting the ideas of these two theorists about the function and importance of ritual. Joseph Campbell was a well-known writer in the areas of mythology and ritual, and frequently drew analogies between established religious practices and long-forerunning mythological beliefs. He maintained that ritual was an important part ...

A short, 2 page look at an old tale dating back to the 18th century which maintains that a devilish, crazed murderer lurks in the rural sections of NJ's pine barren region-- waiting for his prey. In brief, this essay examines explanations for the story-- arguing that the entire concept of such a murderous creature ...

6 pages in length. The writer discusses the mythical element of the movie "What Dreams May Come," as well as associates such with Freud and ancient mythology. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page report discusses the idea that humanity has advanced over the past 500 years, if one considers the issue purely from the point of technological advancement. However, knowledge can and should be seen as a constant balancing act between creative and a ruinous processes. Perhaps humanity has not developed in a way that is ultimately beneficial. The thesis ...