Ancient Symbology in Fantasy Literature

Archetypal symbols in ancient myths as well as the folktales, nursery stories, and fairytales of the Middle Ages are the blueprints of modern fantasy literature. This book explores the modern dreamscape of present-day fantasy, using the ancient myths and traditional fairytales as guides and shining the light of psychological insight onto every symbolic figure and theme encountered. Chapters are dedicated to all of the significant archetypes: heroes and princesses, fairy godmothers and evil witches, wizards and dark lords, magic, and magical beasts are all explored. The analyses and interpretations are informed by classic psychoanalytic studies; the works of fantasy literature examined in this book include the most popular and influential in the genre.

William Indick is Professor of Psychology at Dowling College in Oakdale, New York. He is the author of several books on media psychology, and has written for numerous psychology journals. He lives in Islip, New York.

William Indick

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 203
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6039-7
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9233-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments viii
Preface      1
Introduction      5

1. Myth and Fantasy      15
2. The Realm of Faërie      25
3. The Hero      40
4. The Princess      63
5. The Goddess and the Witch      80
6. The Wizard and the Dark Lord      91
7. Man and Beast      98
8. Magic      129
9. The Bicameral Mind and Its Influence on Myth, Fairytale and Fantasy      149

Conclusion      174
Chapter Notes      179
Bibliography      190
Index      193