An Introduction to the Science of Comparative Mythology and Folklore

""An Introduction to the Science of Comparative Mythology and Folklore"" by George W. Cox is a comprehensive study of the origins and development of myths and folklore across different cultures and time periods. The book explores the similarities and differences between various mythologies and folk traditions from around the world, and analyzes the ways in which these stories have been shaped by historical, social, and cultural factors.The author begins by defining key terms and concepts related to mythology and folklore, and provides an overview of the major theories and approaches used in the field of comparative mythology. He then examines specific mythological and folk traditions from a variety of cultures, including ancient Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, as well as African, Native American, and Asian folklore.Throughout the book, Cox emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context in which myths and folk traditions were created and transmitted. He also discusses the ways in which these stories have been adapted and transformed over time, and the role they continue to play in contemporary culture.Overall, ""An Introduction to the Science of Comparative Mythology and Folklore"" offers a fascinating and insightful exploration of the rich and complex world of myth and folklore, and provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the origins and meanings of these enduring cultural traditions.1883. The author's purpose for this volume is to give a general view of the vast mass of popular traditions belonging to the Aryan nations of Asia and Europe, and of other tribes so far as the conditions of the subject may render necessary. Its starting point is the principle that the popular traditions of no one Aryan people can be really understood except in their relation to those of other tribes and nations of the same family, and that the epochal and dramatic literature of those races has been constructed from materials common to all branches of the Aryan stock and furnished by popular sayings, stories, and tales many of which have never had the good fortune to be more than the talk of nurses and children. Contents: The Materials of Popular Tradition; The Heavens and the Light; The Fire; The Winds; The Waters; The Clouds; The Earth; The Underworld and the Darkness; and The Epochal Traditions and Poems of the Aryan World. See other books by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.