Paperback. Cream binding with black title. Minotaur on the front board.

We provide an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feeling and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available.

• This used book has a £3 discount when collected from our shop

                                  A very readable used paperback.

This is an old title (1974) purchased for reference purposes. The catch-all title conveys content exactly. Kirk is frequently cited in current research, so it’s useful to have the actual volume to hand. 

The book deals with problems of definition, five of the most influential theories, Greek myths in literature, development of ‘the hero,’ myth as a production of the psyche, etc. As the title says, it’s about the *nature* of myth ~ a study of how mythology gave way to philosophy, and it complements Kirk’s earlier volume, ‘Myth, its Meaning & Functions in Ancient and Other Cultures’ (1970).

I would say, even so, this title, too, requires some background knowledge of ancient Greek society, religion and / or culture. The cover art is misleading ~ a detail from the Victorian painter, G.F. Watts, ‘The Minotaur.’