Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

Discuss how successful Hamilton is at meeting her stated goal to give her readers “knowledge of the myths” and insight into the writers “who told them” (xii).

According to Hamilton, Greek mythology should not be treated as “a kind of Greek Bible” because “a real myth has nothing to do with religion” (11). Research the relationship between myth and ritual in any of the time periods from which Hamilton’s sources come. Consider the extent to which her statement can be considered accurate.

What are Hamilton’s underlying assumptions about “Western culture,” and how do they influence her retelling of Greek and Roman myths?