Ancient Greek Mythology
What are Greek myths? How can we interpret them? Why are they still so powerful? How much history do they contain? How do they differ from legends and fairy tales? Who told them and why? Did the Trojan War really happen?
Going back to the original texts (in translation), this course explores these fascinating tales from the past and evaluates various ways in which scholars have tried to make sense of them from antiquity to the present day. In doing so, we gain knowledge of some of the most important mythical narratives and artworks that have come down from antiquity; explore the culture of the world of the Greeks through a variety of types of literary and archaeological evidence; investigate the nature of this evidence pertaining to Greek myths and the problems of interpretating it; develop an awareness of the differences and similarities between ancient Greek civilization and our own, and of the influence of Greek mythological tradition; and develop skills of observation and analysis with further applications in study, work and leisure.
As the course progresses, we explore, and perhaps attempt to define, what we mean by myths and mythology. The main types of source material for our knowledge of Greek mythology across a variety of media will come under scrutiny, as will the contexts in which the Greeks told myths. It is always interesting to consider how, if at all, myths can be distinguished from other traditional tales, such as legends and fairy tales.
One heroic adventure stands out beyond all others in Greek mythology: the expedition of the Greeks against the Trojans. We experience the power of Homer’s Iliad, and examine what the driving force behind the mythical heroes actually is. We also explore the possible relationship of the Trojan War to historical reality. Once Troy is sacked, our focus shifts to the hero Odysseus on his way home from Troy, as narrated in Homer’s Odyssey. Two common ways in which elements of the story are explained and/or rationalized—allegorical interpretation and comparison with similar tales in the mythologies of other cultures—provides us with fascinating material for discussion.
The Greek myths concerning the origins of the world, gods and humans are as intriguing as they are grisly, and they allow us further to develop our exploration of the comparative method by an analysis of the Greek and Hittite myths of succession, before turning to Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Freud, and the psychoanalysis of myths. In fact Freud only analyzed two Greek myths in any depth—those of Medusa and Prometheus—but we attempt to see how his methods might be applied to those tales, critique the results of the analysis, and finally return to the Oedipus myth and make our own analysis of it. We also look briefly at Freud’s immediate successors.
The mightiest of all Greek heroes is Hercules, and we try to formulate an understanding of the mythology of Hercules, and in particular the Twelve Labors, by exploring the relationship between how myths are told in literature and how they are depicted in art. We also look at the way Hercules’ mythology might be analyzed from an ideological perspective. Hercules is also, in some traditions, one of the Argonauts, and we follow Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece through the version written by Apollonios Rhodios, considering how the qualities of a mythical hero might be adapted to suit different audiences at different historical periods.
One of the most influential intellectual approaches to the interpretation of myth in recent decades has been Structuralism. To gain an understanding of Structuralist interpretation of Greek mythology we analyze the myth of Perseus using Vladimir Propp’s 31 Functions, and the tales of Callisto, Auge and Io using syntagmatic structuralism. This also gives us the opportunity to explore the important relationship that myth can have with ritual.
The myth about which more has been written in recent times than perhaps any other is Plato’s Myth of Atlantis. We take a critical look at this tale by reading the definitive version of it in Plato’s text, examining the Late Bronze Age eruption of Thera (and the issue of its date), considering why Plato told the myth, and discussing what relation this might have to real events, notably the LBA eruption—did Plato’s tale of Atlantis have any basis in reality?
We look at all these various aspects through presentations illustrated by handouts of text and of relevant images, and in less formal sessions. In order to experience some of the art at first hand, there are field trips to museums, which tie in with our studies: probably to the British Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and the National Gallery in London. Students are also encouraged to visit museums and sites on their own initiative, such as the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, whose re-fit should be complete by 2010. The ultimate goal is to undertake an interesting, enjoyable and relevant learning experience.
Course Requirements
Students are required to write one paper of 1,500 to 2,000 words and to deliver one oral presentation.
Tutor Biography
Dr. Steve Kershaw, B.A. (Hons.), Ph.D., Tutor, Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, has been intrigued by the Greek myths since his first childhood encounters with Homer. Having studied with one of the greatest living Greek myth scholars, he has gone on to edit The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology and his latest publication, A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths, was published in 2007. Currently working on A Brief Guide to Classical Civilisation, he is both a Tutor for the Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, for whom he is also writing an online course in Greek Mythology, and leader of the European Studies Classical tour for Rhodes College and the University of the South. Steve is also an honors graduate of the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, and is regarded as one of the finest jazz double bass players in the UK.
Tutor Contact Details: drspkershaw@msn.com
Reading List
It would be helpful (but by no means essential) to have done some pre-course reading, perhaps selecting one or two from the following books.
Background Reading:
Kershaw, S.P., A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths, (Robinson, 2007). [ISBN 978-1-84529-512-7] (published in the USA by Carol & Graf, ISBN-13: 978-0-78672-069-9)
Grimal, P., The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, (Penguin 1997).
[ISBN: 0-140-51235-7]
Buxton, R., The Complete World of Greek Mythology, (Thames & Hudson, 2004).
[ISBN: 0-500-25121-5]
Texts we will read in Oxford:
Homer, The Iliad, tr. R. Lattimore, (University of Chicago Press, 1951).
Homer, The Odyssey, tr. R. Lattimore, Harper Collins, 1975
Hesiod and Theognis, Translated by D. Wender, (Penguin,1973).
Sophocles, The Theban Plays, tr. E.F. Watling, (Penguin, 1947)
Apollonius of Rhodes, Jason and the Golden Fleece (The Argonautica), tr. R. Hunter, (Oxford World's Classics, new edn., 1998).
Plato, Timaeus and Critias, tr, D. Lee, (Penguin Classics, reprint edn., 1974).
N.B.: these translations are just recommendations – there are many good versions of these works available from a variety of publishers and translators, and on-line.
One or two other interesting books:
Armstrong, K., A Short History of Myth, (Canongate, 2006).
Bittlestone, R., Odysseus Unbound, (CUP, 2005).
Brisson, L., How Philosophers Saved Myths, (University of Chicago Press, 2004).
Detienne, M., The Creation of Mythology, (University of Chicago Press, 1986).
Hughes, B., Helen of Troy, (Pimlico, 2005).
Kirk. G., Myth. Its Meaning and Functions in Ancient and Other Cultures, (CUP, 1970).
Strauss, B., The Trojan War, A New History, (Hutchinson, 2007).
Woodford, S., The Trojan War in Ancient Art, (Duckworth, 1993).
Field Trips
In order to experience some of the art first hand, there are field trips to museums, which tie in with our studies: probably to the British Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and the National Gallery in London. Students are encouraged to visit museums and sites on their own initiative, such as the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, whose re-fit should be complete by 2010. The ultimate goal is to undertake an interesting, enjoyable and relevant learning experience.
Credit and Enrollment Information
X401 Classics
(EDP 284158)