Offers students with both a history of theories of myth and a practical 'how-to' guide to interpreting myth, the most elementary form of narrative. This title is both a history of theories of myth and a practical 'how-to' guide to interpreting myth. It introduces the major theories of myth from the nineteenth century onwards.

Theories of Mythology provides students with both a history of theories of myth and a practical “how-to” guide to interpreting myth.

The book offers a critical introduction to the major theories of myth from the nineteenth century to the present day, covering comparative approaches, psychoanalysis, ritual theories, structuralism, and ideological analysis. A clear and accessible exposition of the founding theorists and their scientific, intellectual, and social contexts is combined with an analysis of each method’s assumptions, goals, characteristic procedures, and relative strengths. Featuring sample readings of familiar myths, the book supplies readers with the theoretical tools for imitating each method.

Theories of Mythology provides students with both a history of theories of myth and a practical ‘how-to’ guide to interpreting myth, the most elementary form of narrative.

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• Both a history of theories of myth and a practical ‘how-to’ guide to interpreting myth.
  
• Introduces the major theories of myth from the nineteenth century to the present day.
  
• Covers comparative approaches, psychoanalysis, ritual theories of myth, structuralism, and ideological analysis.
  
• Supplies readers with the theoretical tools for imitating each method.
  
• Features detailed exemplary readings of familiar myths.