The Hero with a Thousand Faces - Softcover

Campbell, Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0586085718 ISBN 13: 9780586085714

Publisher: Fontana Press, 1993

Synopsis

In this compelling and influential work, Joseph Campbell scours the myths of the world to reveal the characteristics common to heroes from all cultures and periods.

Mankind has always used fantastical stories as a weapon against fear and ignorance. But despite their infinite variety of incident, setting and costume, the myths of the world present us with remarkably similar heroes. Through meticulous research, Joseph Campbell has identified the composite hero, the common thread that runs through Apollo, Buddha, the Grimm Brothers’ Frog King, and thousands of others. By comparing his findings with the words of such spiritual leaders as Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, Campbell shows how the myths of the world hold a mirror to our notion of heroism – and our interpretation of life itself.

About this title

Review:

‘A brilliant examination, through ancient hero myths, of man’s eternal struggle for identity.’ Time

From the Back Cover:

Despite their infinite variety of incident, setting, and number costume, the myths of the world offer only a limited number of responses to the riddle of life.

In this fascinating and influential book, Joseph Campbell presents the composite hero. Apollo, the Frog King of the fairy tale, Wotan, the Buddha., and numerous other protagonists of folklore and religion enact simultaneously the various phases of their common story.

The relationship of their timeless symbols to those discovered in dream by contemporary depth psychology is taken as a starting point for interpretation. The psychological view is then compared with the words of such spiritual leaders as Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Lao-tse, and the 'Old Man' of the Australian tribes. From behind a thousand faces the single hero looks out, archetype of all human myth.

"Campbell's words carry extraordinary weight, not only among scholars but a wide range of other people who find his search down mythical pathways relevant to their lives today."
TIME

About this edition

• Publisher: Fontana Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0586085718
• ISBN 13: 9780586085714
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448