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Ariadne's Thread: A Guide to International Stories in Classical Literature
From Cinderella to The Boy Who Cried Wolf to The Dragon Slayer to the Judgment of Solomon, certain legends, myths, and folktales are part of the oral tradition in countries around the world. In addition to their pervasiveness, these stories show an astonishing longevity; many such tales are found in classical antiquity. Ariadne's Thread is an encyclopedia of more than a hundred such international oral tales, all present in the literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
It takes into account writings, including early Jewish and Christian literature, recorded in or translated into Greek or Latin by writers of any nationality. As a result, it will be invaluable not only to classicists and folklorists but also to a wide range of other readers who are interested in stories and storytelling. William Hansen presents the familiar form of each tale and discusses the similar ancient story or stories, examining how each corresponds with and differs from that form. He then gives principal sources and, where appropriate, comments on the cultural factors affecting the shape and content of the ancient story, the context of transmission, and issues raised in the secondary literature.
Finally, he provides a bibliography of scholarly studies and the pertinent reference in the standard folk-narrative index, The Types of the Folktale by Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson. Again and again, Hansen demonstrates how ancient narratives are often best understood in the context of the larger tradition. He forces us to rethink the nature of Greek mythology by encouraging an appreciation of the extent to which Greek myths and legends parallel international stories. By virtue of their durability, he says, these orally transmitted stories rank among the world's most successful artistic creations.
It takes into account writings, including early Jewish and Christian literature, recorded in or translated into Greek or Latin by writers of any nationality. As a result, it will be invaluable not only to classicists and folklorists but also to a wide range of other readers who are interested in stories and storytelling. William Hansen presents the familiar form of each tale and discusses the similar ancient story or stories, examining how each corresponds with and differs from that form. He then gives principal sources and, where appropriate, comments on the cultural factors affecting the shape and content of the ancient story, the context of transmission, and issues raised in the secondary literature.
Finally, he provides a bibliography of scholarly studies and the pertinent reference in the standard folk-narrative index, The Types of the Folktale by Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson. Again and again, Hansen demonstrates how ancient narratives are often best understood in the context of the larger tradition. He forces us to rethink the nature of Greek mythology by encouraging an appreciation of the extent to which Greek myths and legends parallel international stories. By virtue of their durability, he says, these orally transmitted stories rank among the world's most successful artistic creations.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 6, 2018
For the specialist, strictly speaking (it's a kind of reference book of folktales), but educated general readers with an interest in the area might enjoy dipping into the entries and acquainting themselves with the range of international folktales which have counterparts in ancient literature.
The publisher's blurb above well describes the content, and there's not much that I can add, except that as a classicist my eyes have been opened to the extent of the parallels between folktales recorded in the nineteenth/twentieth centuries and tales recorded in antiquity. It really prompts wonder over the durability and universality of these tales.
Hansen presents an excellent overview of the study of folktales in his Introduction (origins, trends, important names, problems, current status), and then in the Body of this tome does an admirable job teasing out, tale by tale, the similarities and differences between ancient version and international version, briefly commenting on cultural context together with other points of interest, and providing reference/source data, all of which provide a good basis for further investigation.
The publisher's blurb above well describes the content, and there's not much that I can add, except that as a classicist my eyes have been opened to the extent of the parallels between folktales recorded in the nineteenth/twentieth centuries and tales recorded in antiquity. It really prompts wonder over the durability and universality of these tales.
Hansen presents an excellent overview of the study of folktales in his Introduction (origins, trends, important names, problems, current status), and then in the Body of this tome does an admirable job teasing out, tale by tale, the similarities and differences between ancient version and international version, briefly commenting on cultural context together with other points of interest, and providing reference/source data, all of which provide a good basis for further investigation.
May 25, 2024
This is a reference type book. Way too much to read for pleasure unless you are just into reading an encyclopedia. It cant imagine how a teacher could get someone to read this. Its long and laborious. I can see it being used to give students a background on classic literature for students to learn about Greek mythology and writing. It could be used in parts for certain subject information. Students could use this to learn about how classic stories were written or can be rewritten. This book can show how oral stories of old have maintained a place in literature. Passing on stories has long been a way of passing culture from generation to generation. There is also the learning about Greece and Rome. This could e interesting from a sociological standpoint.
November 18, 2021
A fantastic reference book of recurring classical tales and their variations for anyone who might be interested in storytelling.
As is usually the case with academic texts and reference books, you most likely won't be sitting down to read this from cover to cover. Still, don't let the dirty A-genre scare you away: this is a treasure trove of storytelling resources.
If you're a writer, illustrator, or a creative of any other kind, this might just prove to be one of the richest sources of inspiration, prompts, and starting points you're likely to come across. The texts helpfully provide short and sweet analyses of various important elements that can get you thinking about symbology, metaphor, and plot/plot points/setting.
It might give you a direct idea of what you might want to tell a story about or, as is usually the case, it might help you narrow possibilities down by making you figure out what you don't want your story to be about.
If you've ever been faced with the tyranny of the white page, you'll know just how useful that is.
As is usually the case with academic texts and reference books, you most likely won't be sitting down to read this from cover to cover. Still, don't let the dirty A-genre scare you away: this is a treasure trove of storytelling resources.
If you're a writer, illustrator, or a creative of any other kind, this might just prove to be one of the richest sources of inspiration, prompts, and starting points you're likely to come across. The texts helpfully provide short and sweet analyses of various important elements that can get you thinking about symbology, metaphor, and plot/plot points/setting.
It might give you a direct idea of what you might want to tell a story about or, as is usually the case, it might help you narrow possibilities down by making you figure out what you don't want your story to be about.
If you've ever been faced with the tyranny of the white page, you'll know just how useful that is.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews