Classical mythology

Author: (English) Osborne
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-01-01
Features: The story told in this book is timeless. Myths have endured for millennia not because they are beautiful, captivating, or filled with eroticism or inspiration, but because the stories they tell are about us—yet they are more real and clearer than our own stories. Aristotle once said: "Poetry is more truthful than history, for poetry tells us eternal truths, while history only recounts specific facts." Myths are the same. Classical myths are particularly so. Classical works become classics because they can transcend time and space, communicating without the constraints of language. There is a famous Greek saying: "Man is the measure of all things." The fact that ancient civilizations have endured to this day and continue to inspire us is no coincidence. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Myths will take you on a journey through the halls of art, music, and literature. It will a long dialogue about myths and their meanings. The figures you see in various art museums are all named and have stories in this book. Mythological terms you encounter in daily life will also be explained here. Classical myths are often referenced in casual conversation. Only by understanding these myths can you grasp the meaning behind the references, avoid awkward situations, and ensure smooth conversations. Zeus how he transformed mortals to spend a night with their wives, Hercules how he battled demons—these stories were widely circulated among the Greeks and Romans and were performed in both farces and tragedies. At least three were produced in the 20th century, including Cole Porter's 1950 musical Out of This World and Jean-Luc Godard's film Oh! My God!, in which Gerard Depardieu played a down-to-earth Zeus. It can be said that classical myths frequently appear in theater and film. This book will take you on a journey to a place where time stands still. This place serves as the prototype, where the creators of myths considered major issues: life and death, joy and sorrow, family harmony and division, our fears, failures, and victories, and the mortal world we inhabit. True myths have broad significance. Shakespeare once said, "We are made of dreams." This book will show you these best dreams.