9.9 Classical myths in 19th-century novels

Classical myths played a crucial role in 19th-century novels, shaping characters, themes, and narratives. Authors drew inspiration from Greek and Roman pantheons, using them to explore human nature and societal issues.

The Romantic movement sparked renewed interest in antiquity, while Gothic literature incorporated mythological elements to create atmosphere. Novels like "Frankenstein" and "Jane Eyre" used classical allusions to add depth and symbolism to their stories.

Origins of classical mythology

• Classical mythology forms the foundation for many literary works in the 19th century, providing a rich tapestry of characters, themes, and narratives
• Understanding the origins of these myths enhances appreciation of their use and adaptation in later literature
• This section explores the fundamental differences between Greek and Roman mythologies and their lasting impact on Western literary traditions

Greek vs Roman pantheons

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• Greek pantheon predates Roman, with gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo
• Roman pantheon adapts Greek gods, renaming them (Jupiter, Minerva, Apollo)
• Roman myths often emphasize civic duty and state, while Greek myths focus on human condition and fate
• Some uniquely Roman deities exist (Janus, god of beginnings and transitions)
• Differences in origin stories and attributes of gods between the two pantheons

Influence on Western literature

• Provides archetypes and character models for heroes, villains, and supporting characters
• Offers narrative structures like the hero's journey and tragic falls
• Establishes common themes of love, war, betrayal, and the human-divine relationship
• Influences literary devices such as allusion, metaphor, and symbolism
• Creates a shared cultural vocabulary for writers and readers across centuries

Romantic movement and mythology

• Romantic movement in literature marked a significant shift in artistic and philosophical thought during the late 18th and early 19th centuries
• This period saw a resurgence of interest in classical mythology as a source of inspiration and a means of exploring human nature and emotions
• Mythology in Romantic literature often served as a vehicle for expressing the sublime, the mysterious, and the power of imagination

Renewed interest in antiquity

• Excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum sparked fascination with ancient cultures
• Translations of classical texts became more widely available
• Grand Tour tradition exposed artists and writers to ancient sites and artifacts
• Romantic poets like Keats and Shelley drew heavily on classical themes
• Interest in local folklore and medieval legends complemented classical mythology

Mythology as artistic inspiration

• Provided rich symbolism for exploring complex emotions and ideas
• Allowed writers to address contemporary issues through ancient narratives
• Inspired visual arts, influencing paintings and sculptures of the period
• Encouraged experimentation with poetic forms inspired by classical epics
• Facilitated the exploration of the relationship between nature and the divine

Gothic literature and mythology

• Gothic literature emerged in the late 18th century, blending elements of romance and horror
• This genre frequently incorporated mythological themes and motifs to create atmosphere and depth
• The use of classical mythology in Gothic works often served to heighten the sense of the uncanny and the sublime

Supernatural elements in fiction

• Ghosts and spectral beings echo mythological underworld creatures
• Vampires and immortal beings draw parallels to gods and demigods
• Curses and prophecies mirror oracles and divine punishments in myths
• Transformation and metamorphosis recall mythical shape-shifters
• Ancient artifacts and relics often serve as plot devices, linking to mythological objects of power

Classical allusions in horror

• References to the Furies or Erinyes to represent vengeance and guilt
• Use of labyrinth imagery, evoking the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur
• Allusions to Hades and the underworld in descriptions of dark, foreboding settings
• Incorporation of mythical monsters (Medusa, Cerberus) as metaphors for human fears
• Characters often parallel mythological figures, enhancing their symbolic significance

Mythological archetypes in novels

• Archetypes derived from classical mythology play a crucial role in shaping characters and plots in 19th-century novels
• These universal patterns and figures provide a framework for exploring human experiences and psychological depths
• Understanding mythological archetypes enhances the reader's ability to interpret and analyze literary works

Hero's journey structure

• Follows Joseph Campbell's monomyth pattern, mirroring ancient hero tales
• Consists of departure, initiation, and return stages
• Hero faces trials and temptations, often supernatural in nature
• Mentors and allies assist the hero, echoing divine intervention in myths
• Transformation of the hero through their journey reflects personal growth

Divine intervention tropes

• Deus ex machina resolutions, though less common in novels, still appear
• Fate and destiny as guiding forces in characters' lives
• Dream sequences or visions serving as divine messages or prophecies
• Chance encounters or coincidences functioning as subtle divine intervention
• Natural phenomena interpreted as signs from the gods or cosmic forces

Frankenstein and Prometheus myth

• Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (1818) draws heavily on the Prometheus myth
• The novel explores themes of creation, ambition, and the consequences of overreaching human limits
• Shelley's subtitle, "The Modern Prometheus," explicitly links the work to classical mythology

Creation and rebellion themes

• Victor Frankenstein as a Promethean figure, creating life like Prometheus created humans
• The Creature's acquisition of knowledge parallels Prometheus giving fire to humanity
• Rebellion against natural order and divine authority central to both stories
• Punishment for transgression: Frankenstein's guilt and the Creature's isolation
• Exploration of the ethics of creation and the creator's responsibility

Scientific hubris parallels

• Frankenstein's ambition to conquer death reflects Promethean defiance of the gods
• Dangers of unchecked scientific progress mirroring the theft of divine fire
• Consequences of playing god: unintended results of Frankenstein's experiment
• Knowledge as both a gift and a curse, echoing the dual nature of Prometheus' gift
• The novel as a cautionary tale against human overreach in scientific pursuits

Jane Eyre and classical allusions

• Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" (1847) incorporates various classical allusions
• These mythological references enhance the novel's themes and characterizations
• Understanding the classical elements adds depth to the interpretation of the text

Phoenix symbolism

• Jane's resilience and rebirth after hardships parallel the phoenix myth
• Thornfield Hall's destruction and rebuilding echo the phoenix's cycle
• Rochester's transformation and redemption reflect phoenix-like renewal
• The novel's structure of fall and rise mirrors the phoenix's death and rebirth
• Fire imagery throughout the novel reinforces the phoenix symbolism

Mythological character comparisons

• Jane as Hestia, goddess of the hearth, bringing warmth and stability
• Rochester compared to Zeus, powerful but flawed
• Bertha Mason likened to Medusa, with her wild hair and destructive nature
• St. John Rivers as Apollo, associated with reason and sometimes harsh light
• Mrs. Fairfax as a Penelope figure, faithfully maintaining the household

Wuthering Heights and Greek tragedy

• Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" (1847) incorporates elements reminiscent of Greek tragedy
• The novel's structure and themes parallel classical tragic narratives
• Understanding these connections enhances appreciation of the work's depth and universality

Fate and divine retribution

• Characters seem bound by an inescapable fate, echoing Greek concepts of destiny
• Generational curses and inherited sins reflect tragic cycles in Greek mythology
• Heathcliff's revenge as a form of Nemesis, divine retribution
• The moors as a representation of the indifferent, sometimes hostile divine realm
• Ghostly appearances and supernatural elements mirror divine interventions in Greek tragedies

Mythic passion and destruction

• Catherine and Heathcliff's love parallels tragic, fated pairings in myth
• Destructive nature of passion echoes stories like Medea or Helen of Troy
• Characters' hubris leading to downfall, a common theme in Greek tragedy
• Cyclical nature of the story reflects the repeating patterns in mythic narratives
• Catharsis achieved through the resolution of conflicts and passions

Mythology in historical fiction

• Historical fiction of the 19th century often incorporated classical mythology
• This blend of history and myth allowed authors to explore timeless themes in specific historical contexts
• Mythological elements added depth and universal appeal to historical narratives

Sir Walter Scott's works

• Scott's novels often feature Celtic and Norse mythological elements
• "Ivanhoe" incorporates Arthurian legends, blending myth with medieval history
• Use of prophecies and omens in Scott's works echoes classical oracles
• Characters often embody mythic archetypes within historical settings
• Landscape descriptions imbued with mythological significance

Ancient gods in modern settings

• Gods and mythical beings appearing in disguise among mortals
• Divine intervention in human affairs, often subtle or misunderstood
• Reinterpretation of historical events through mythological lenses
• Use of mythical objects or relics as plot devices in historical narratives
• Characters drawing strength or inspiration from mythological predecessors

Subversion of classical myths

• 19th-century literature began to challenge and reinterpret classical myths
• This subversion allowed for new perspectives and social commentary
• Reinterpreting myths became a way to question traditional narratives and values

Feminist reinterpretations

• Retelling myths from female characters' perspectives
• Challenging the traditional roles assigned to women in classical myths
• Exploring the agency and motivations of female mythological figures
• Critiquing patriarchal structures embedded in classical narratives
• Using mythological women as symbols of resistance or empowerment

Challenging traditional narratives

• Questioning the morality of gods and heroes in classical myths
• Reframing villains or monsters as sympathetic or misunderstood characters
• Exploring alternative endings or consequences to well-known myths
• Blending multiple mythological traditions to create new narratives
• Using irony and satire to undermine the authority of classical myths

Mythology and social commentary

• 19th-century authors often used mythological references to comment on contemporary issues
• Classical myths provided a safe distance from which to critique society and politics
• Understanding the mythological elements enhances recognition of the social commentary

Class struggle allegories

• Gods and Titans as representations of upper and lower classes
• Heroic quests symbolizing social mobility and class aspirations
• Mythical golden ages contrasted with contemporary social inequalities
• Divine punishments as metaphors for systemic oppression
• Prometheus myth adapted to represent working-class struggles

Political critique through myth

• Corrupt or capricious gods as stand-ins for political leaders
• Mythical conflicts recast to reflect contemporary political struggles
• Use of mythological settings to create distance for political commentary
• Divine councils and decision-making as allegories for political processes
• Heroic rebellions against gods symbolizing resistance to authoritarianism

Influence on literary techniques

• Classical mythology significantly influenced the development of literary techniques in 19th-century novels
• Authors adapted traditional mythological devices to suit the novel format
• These techniques enhanced the depth and complexity of narrative prose

Epic similes in prose

• Extended comparisons reminiscent of Homeric similes
• Use of natural imagery to illuminate character traits or situations
• Complex metaphors drawing on mythological stories or figures
• Similes serving to elevate prose to a more epic or poetic register
• Comparison of contemporary situations to mythological events for emphasis

Mythological foreshadowing devices

• Prophecies or oracles hinting at future plot developments
• Symbolic objects or events from myths signaling character fates
• Dream sequences inspired by mythical visions to presage future events
• Use of mythological parallels to suggest potential outcomes
• Invocation of specific myths to create expectations or tension

Legacy for 20th-century literature

• The use of classical mythology in 19th-century novels laid the groundwork for 20th-century literary innovations
• Modernist and postmodernist authors built upon and reacted to these earlier mythological incorporations
• Understanding this legacy enhances appreciation of the continuity and evolution in literary traditions

Modernist mythological references

• T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" drawing on diverse mythological traditions
• James Joyce's "Ulysses" as a modern retelling of Homer's "Odyssey"
• Use of mythological structures to organize seemingly chaotic narratives
• Exploration of psychological depths through mythological archetypes
• Fragmentation and juxtaposition of mythical elements reflecting modern disillusionment

Postmodern deconstruction of myths

• Challenging the universality and authority of classical myths
• Playful reinterpretations and mash-ups of different mythological traditions
• Use of myths to explore the constructedness of narratives and history
• Ironic or satirical treatments of classical mythological themes
• Blending of high culture (classical myths) with pop culture references