Myths of the Raven

The myths and meanings of the Tower of London ravens

In the summer of 2004, I was in London to give a lecture in connection with the exhibition “This much is certain” at the Royal College of Art. Previously, I had researched raven lore, heard the Tower of London raven legend, and wanted to see the Tower ravens first-hand. I came upon the portentous birds just before noon, after seeing an informative display of fake torture instruments in the Bloody Tower. The ravens were to my right, just west of the White Tower. They were gathered by their cages, situated at ground level atop a grassy mound near the ruin of the Wall of the Innermost Ward. A sign was posted: “Warning: Ravens Bite.” An ominous black raven turned my way, croaked, and then casually picked up a stick in her beak.

 Vallance, Jeffrey."Myths of the Raven".The myths and meanings of the Tower of London ravens. vol.1. http://www.forteantimes.com/features/articles/879/myths_of_the_raven.html.2007

MYTHS

What is a myth?
   







Myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or even with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.

Classical mythology

      -Through it,according to this view ,we can retrace the path from civilized man who lives so far from nature, the man who lived in close companionship with nature ; and the real interest of the myths is that they lead us back to a time when the world was young and people had a connection with the earth , with trees and seas , and flowers and hills, unlike anything we ourselves can feel . When the stories were being shaped ,we are given to understand, little distinction had as yet been made between the real and unreal. The imagination was vividly alive and not checked by the reason so that anyone in the woods might see through the trees a feeling nymph, or bending over a clear pool to drink behold in the depths a naiad's face.

Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Goddesses. New York City: Penguins Books USA Inc.1940.Print

What's the difference between mythological and archetypal criticism.

Mythological criticism:

• Has references to famous mythological stories in work of literature.
• These references are included in hopes of  getting a universal reactions from readers.
• Myths are symbolic of people's hope, fear, and other philosophical ideas .

Archetypal criticism:

• Archetypes are similar ideas or images found in many different myths.
• This is defined as "universal symbols"
• archetypes are images (such as water, sun , certain color or even number,shapes, garden ,dessert, the tree)

           USING MYTHOLOGICAL CRITICISM & 

                  ARCHETYPAL CRITICISM

            Unlike the traditional form of criticism that focuses on history of author and piece itself,mythological and archetypal focuses on history of gods and goddesses and other allusions mentions in piece that is involved in mythology.

This picture  symbolizes Gods and Goddesses involved in  the field of mythology.