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The Celtic Myths That Shape the Way We Think by
How do myths that were deeply embedded in the customs and beliefs of their original culture find themselves retold and reinterpreted across the world, centuries or even millennia later? Focusing on ten myths that have had the greatest cultural impact and are the most relevant to our lives today, Mark Williams reveals the lasting influence of Celtic mythology, from medieval literature to the modern fantasy genre. Ten chapters recount the myths and explore the lasting influence of legendary figures including King Arthur, the Celtic figure who paradoxically became the archetypal English national hero; Cú Chulainn, the hero of the Táin, Ireland's great medieval epic, who became a symbol of the reborn Irish nation; the Irish and Scottish hero Finn, who as 'Fingal' caught the imagination of Napoleon, Goethe and Mendelssohn; and the Welsh mythical figure Blodeuwedd, magically created from flowers of the oak, who inspired Yeats. Williams also explores the contentious use of mythic imagery in nationalist ideology, and how characters and concepts from Celtic legends have been relevant to past and present discussions on national identity. His elegantly written retellings capture the beauty of the original myths while also delving deeper into the history of their meanings, offering the reader an intelligent and engaging take on these powerful stories. Beautiful illustrations of the artworks these myths have inspired over the centuries are presented in a colour-plates section and in black-and-white within the text. Mark Williams' mythological expertise and captivating writing style makes this book essential reading for anyone who appreciates the myths that have shaped our artistic and literary canons and continue to inspire today. With 77 illustrations
Call Number: GR137 .W55 2021
Norse Mythology by Call Number: BL860 .G35 2017
Mythology by Call Number: BL311 .H345 2013
The Celtic Myths by Call Number: BL900 .A444 2015
The Saga of the Volsungs by Call Number: PT7287.V7 E5 2012
Websites
- Norse Mythology Dictionary
from Infoplease - Norse Mythology
From New World Encyclopedia - Celtic Folklore
From Internet Sacred Text Archive
Databases
- ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window
Articles on any subject. This is a good place to start.
- Humanities International Complete This link opens in a new window
Articles and ebooks about humanities topics like arts, history, language, law, literature, philosophy, and politics.
- JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Journals, books, images, and primary sources about many subjects.
- World History This link opens in a new window
Articles, essays, and primary sources on the history of the world.
Online from CCBC Libraries
Norse Mythology
The myths and legends of the Norsemen have entertained both old and young alike for hundreds of years. This fascinating collection contains stories retold from the Icelandic Eddas, the principal sources of knowledge of Norse mythology, and the Sagas of the ancient world of the Vikings. Following the deeds of the powerful Norse gods, such as Odin, Thor and Loki, and filled with a host of fantastic creatures and objects containing magical properties, the tales in Norse Mythology will conjure up a world of heroism and romance that will enthrall readers.
Publication Date: 2018
Tree of Salvation by Publication Date: 2013
