Transformations of Myth Through Time

by Joseph Campbell

The renowned master of mythology is at his warm, accessible, and brilliant best in this illustrated collection of thirteen lectures covering mythological development around the world.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History, Religion, Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1990

About the author

Joseph Campbell was an American author and teacher best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. He was born in New York City in 1904, and from early childhood he became interested in mythology. He loved to read books about American Indian cultures, and frequently visited the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where he was fascinated by the museum's collection of totem poles.

Campbell was educated at Columbia University, where he specialized in medieval literature, and continued his studies at universities in Paris and Munich. While abroad he was influenced by the art of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse, the novels of James Joyce and Thomas Mann, and the psychological studies of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. These encounters led to Campbell's theory that all myths and epics are linked in the human psyche, and that they are cultural manifestations of the universal need to explain social, cosmological, and spiritual realities. 


After a period in California, where he encountered John Steinbeck and the biologist Ed Ricketts, he taught at the Canterbury School, and then, in 1934, joined the literature department at Sarah Lawrence College, a post he retained for many years. During the 40s and '50s, he helped Swami Nikhilananda to translate the Upanishads and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. He also edited works by the German scholar Heinrich Zimmer on Indian art, myths, and philosophy. In 1944, with Henry Morton Robinson, Campbell published A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake. His first original work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, came out in 1949 and was immediately well received; in time, it became acclaimed as a classic. In this study of the "myth of the hero," Campbell asserted that there is a single pattern of heroic journey and that all cultures share this essential pattern in their various heroic myths. In his book he also outlined the basic conditions, stages, and results of the archetypal hero's journey.


Throughout his life, he traveled extensively and wrote prolifically, authoring many books, including the four-volume series The Masks of God, Myths to Live By, The Inner Reaches of Outer Space and The Historical Atlas of World Mythology. Joseph Campbell died in 1987. In 1988, a series of television interviews with Bill Moyers, The Power of Myth, introduced Campbell's views to millions of people.


Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book records Campbell talking, not writing in a scholarly way, but just telling stories in an informal, off-the-cuff way. He cares nothing about sounding authoritative. He just spews the best stories of his life and of humanity -- the tales in Paleolithic art, Native American stories, tales of the Neolithic Near East, Egypt, India, the Buddha, kundalini yoga, the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the mystery religions of Greece, Arthurian legend, courtly love, and the holy grail. The guy really knew how to put on a bardic show.

[José Luis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daria 10 estrelas, tranquilamente. Comprei um livro do Joseph Campbell antes deste, O herói de mil faces. Um belo dia achei um podcast no Spotify, da Renata Peluso, Vivendo os Mitos com Joseph Campbell. Filósofa e estudiosa dos mitos e em particular da obra do Campbell, foi uma ajuda inestimável e indispensável para ler e entender corretamente As transformações do mito, que acabei de ler. Conjunto de 13 palestras/aulas sobre os mitos, sem comentários, muito bom. Campbell é reconhecidamente uma autoridade em mitos, e foi consultor do George Lucas para a construção dos mitos em Star Wars. Recomendo também a série de quatro entrevistas dadas pelo Campbell antes de morrer, disponíveis no YouTube: O poder do mito. Enfim, fiz uma viagem pela mitologia mundo afora, muito aprendizado e muita cultura, muitas ideias. Nota 1000!

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Campbell had an incredible vision of world mythology, how myths developed among the very first humans until now and how they related to each other in different parts of the world. He was also a very gifted storyteller with a wry sense of humor. This book is a compilation of various lectures he gave. He highlights the importance of ritual and ceremony in our world today to celebrate and acknowledge major life transitions, I couldn't agree with him more.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I would like to make it clear that I did enjoy this book. The essays were both interesting, and informative - they gave a lot of food for thought. They were taken from a documentary (if I'm not mistaken, Mythos I and Mythos II?) shown on PBS some years ago. This book contained a good deal of artwork and pictures, going hand in hand with what Campbell was discussing - being printed in black and white, a bit of the artistic grandeur was lost.

I didn't give the book a higher rating, simply because I had some difficulty with the way the book was put together. Beyond the fact that the physical copy I was reading was falling apart in a few places, I felt that the transcription could have been edited better. Some of the essays went off in different directions and were a little bit hard to follow. Furthermore, the book could have been arranged in a bit more of a coherent manner.

[Cydni Perkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I respect Joseph Campbell, but this wasn't what I expected. I think a better title for it would have been Overview Of Eastern Religions Plus Yoga. It's a very rambling lecture series that feels poorly organized. It never seems to get to the transformations part. It's just a lot of dry information about different religions. And yoga, which may not have been as widely appreciated when this book was written as it is now. Anyway, this one just wasn't my bag of tea. Two stars for pointing out a couple of correlations between Buddhism and Christianity that I had never noticed before.

[RD Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otro excelentísimo libro de Campbell, en el que nos conduce a traves del nacimiento y desarrollo del pensamiento mitologico desde los primeros vestigios de temas mitológicos en las cavernas, pasando por la mitologia Egipcia, Sumerio-Babilonica, Griega, Cristiana, Budista y los Romances Medievales. No solamente es completo y con referencias ilustradas de varias de lasmpiezas artisticas que cita, sino que lo hace amenony con gran sentido del humor, en particular los ultimos tres capitulos, dedicados a los Romances del Graal. imperdible.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An indepth study of how humans got to be where we are now...our reliance on myths and religious doctrines to get us through life. His works are fascinating to read, and enlightening!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the transcript of a lecture series that can also be found on video. The lectures are better than the reading but the content of the reading is good too.

This is, I think, the best summary of Campbell's main ideas about Myth's role in human life - putting yourself in sync with the society and the world in which you find yourself.
The book almost follows the lectures in how it arranges the three main topics:
- Western philosophy and myth. My key take away: Western traditions have emphasized the "literal" interpretation of myth over the "metaphorical" interpretation but a re-read and injection of less well known stories shows that the metaphorical interpretations are present in Western thinking as well.
- Eastern philosophy and myth. My key take away: The metaphorical interpretation is central to Bhuddist thought. The chapters on Kundalini Yoga are a fantastic summary of a world view that clearly comprehends the role of myth as Campbell explains it.
- Arthurian legend. My key take away: The Western method of thinking brought two BIG ideas into the world: The role of the individual as separate from his/her role in a society (leading an "authentic" life). The idea of romantic love as an aspiration rather than an inconvenient evil.

[Denise Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting account of the evolution of myths through time and between cultures, but I didn't care for the style in which it was written. It's basically transcription of lectures, so you lose something in the flow of the writing at times. Evidently there are slides being shown during the lectures and those illustrations are in the book. It would have helped if there was a key or guide to link the writing with the illustrations, but there is nothing. The information is interesting but isn't presented well in book format.

[John Fredrickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Campbell is an amazing storyteller and has (had) an extraordinary grasp of mythological materials, but this collection felt like a rambling, albeit knowledgeable, discourse on too many things mythological. I suspect that these lectures were intended for an audience whose participants were already very knowledgeable about the various myths discussed, and that Campbell was interested in showing how the myths were related. There was not enough continuity, even within some of the individual essays, for me to enjoy this book.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to catch the PBS series which aired a few years after the author's death, and I was completely blown away by his mastery of mythic forms, and the way he was able to show how the "perennial philosophy" manifested itself thoughout human history, back to Neolithic times. This material propelled me along my spiritual path, and I really enjoyed revisiting it last summer.

[Kajah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of Campbell's lectures, so far I've read two of them, the most interesting a lecture on the phenomenon of Kundali Yoga, which like so many of Campbells essays provide a solid intellectual ground for the experiential understanding of esoteric philosophies. Gonna take my time with this one...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding historical overview of cultural mythology, showing how their stories inherit from each other. more of a fast paced read that descends to only "cliff notes" depth for some cultural mythological systems, but enough to wet the appetite at least. Does a good job of taking the reader through eastern myths and yogic teaching, which seem to be Campbell's strong suite.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not one of my favorite books by Joseph Campbell, but I don't fault him for it. As I understand the formation of this book, it is a collection of his lectures, merely transcribed, with pictures added. I could "hear" him talking, but it didn't translate well to words on paper. That said, he shared knowledge and insight, just not as easily absorbed as in a book edited for clarity.

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

These lectures were brilliant. Occasionally, the dialogue becomes odd due to its original medium, but he covers a lot of fascinating topics from both east and west. I will surely read these a second time to better absorb some of these ideas and interpretations. Highly recommend it to those who are either interested in religion or mythology.

[Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the eastern religions, Campbell loses focus. With the Arthurian legends, he soars.
Like other reviewers have mentioned, these are lectures, meant to be delivered more by spoken, rather than read, word. This comes across much more of an issue in the middle lectures, especially when dealing with Kundalini Yoga, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead, which just repeats itself.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book about ancient myths of America, Europe, and Asia. The book is taken from lectures and I think the videotapes would be more coherent. Some symbols appear in many myths and this consistency is followed.

[Bridgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great essays about many different cultures.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but don't feel like I have enough background in mythology to "get it" all. Interesting look at the connections between different mythologies and religions though.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful television series; the book a terrible transcript of such. Still, it's Campbell. Loss of two stars due to editing.

[Roseann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating read. I always knew that religions all had some basic similarities, but was not aware how close they all were.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give extra stars for the new thoughts and ideas inspired from this, it could reach infinite proportions.

[Reid Siljestrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to world religions. Fascinating read for those interested in how all religions share myths.

[Nola]

Liked it!

[Argawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the history of mythology. Good resume, not all inclusive.

[Teri Temme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lectures!

[Stan Cornett]

It's Joseph Campbell. What else needs to be said?

[Lancelot Schaubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than write a review of this man's life work, I'd rather just cite the various posts I've written about him in the past:

• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?

And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces

Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?

Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]

Mark: Day… in the… studio?

Lancelot: New lighting set up?

Mark: Yeah, it’s–

Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?

Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?

Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.

Mark: Sounds fun.

Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.

Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.

Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've heard of Joseph Campbell for years because of his contributions to the Hero's Journey / Hero With a Thousand Faces so far as storytelling goes. From his analyses we get the circular quest shape of stories like King Arthur. From him we see certain recurring patterns in myths from around the world, and the archetypal characters who act them out for us. So I was pretty disappointed to see what a poor scholar he was in this collection of essays and speeches on mythology.

Because Campbell does not believe there is such a thing as a god (or a God), he makes the unacademic mistake of interpreting symbols from myth and many religions of the world through his belief system of a general godless Buddhism. See that Greek or Roman or Celtic symbol of the snake in this or that tapestry or piece of ancient pottery? That's the symbol of rebirth and reincarnation, because snakes shed their skins, you see. And the serpent of Judeo-Christian iconography? Well it's exactly the same! It means rebirth. What a joke this book is! That's not what it means there at all! Quite the opposite.

This man, at least in this book, is as unscholarly and unserious as they come. He is an unlearned fool. You interpret a text by by its own self, in context, according to the time and place it came out of, and all cultures have different symbols and metaphors and archetypes, many of them contrary to one another. Campbell makes the mistake of passing everything, and I mean everything, in history through his own belief system, and ends up muddying the water for everyone. He draws unreasonable conclusions, lumping things together that have opposite meanings in the societies from which they came. Plus, he spells quite a few things wrong in this book.

I do intend to read some of his other books, but now I have much more miniscule expectations of any knowledge, let alone wisdom, to be learned there. If his other books are anything like this one I'm liable to laugh my way through those as well. Wait, maybe these are supposed to be comedy? Is this meant to be a parody of the way self-important lecturers just project random meanings onto things that were never intended to be conveyed, to the point of absolute absurdity? If so, then bravo - well done, Joe.

[Steve Folan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great set of lectures that links rituals, behaviours, literature and art and how it evolves to modern times. I liked the sections about the Arthurian legend the most but the pieces on Egyptian rituals are fascinating as well.