Bulfinch’s Mythology – Thomas Bulfinch (1855)

Bulfinch’s Mythology is a famous anthology by Thomas Bulfinch that retells myths from ancient Greece and Rome, stories of King Arthur and his knights, and legends of Charlemagne. Bulfinch’s aim was to make mythology enjoyable and understandable for modern readers, particularly those interested in Western literature and history. This text is a collection of his works, starting with “The Age of Fable,” followed by “The Age of Chivalry,” and “The Legends of Charlemagne.”

Plot Summary

In the beginning, the ancient world was filled with gods who ruled over the earth and skies. From the primordial chaos, a pantheon of deities arose, each with a unique dominion and power. Among them was Jupiter, ruler of the heavens, whose thunderbolts instilled fear across the mortal and immortal realms. He shared power with his brothers Neptune and Pluto, who governed the seas and the underworld, respectively. The earth thrived under the influence of the gods, but it was the actions of Prometheus, the daring Titan, that changed the course of humanity forever. Prometheus, filled with compassion for mankind, stole fire from the heavens and gave it to mortals, enabling them to rise from darkness. For this transgression, Jupiter condemned him to eternal torment, binding him to a rock where a vulture feasted upon his liver each day.

As the gods watched over the world, the first woman, Pandora, was created as part of Jupiter’s plan to punish humanity for Prometheus’ defiance. Gifted with beauty and curiosity, Pandora was entrusted with a sealed jar that contained all the sorrows and plagues of existence. Unable to resist, she opened the jar, and misery spilled out, forever altering the fate of humankind. Yet, amidst the ruin, hope remained in the jar, offering solace to the troubled mortals.

In the age that followed, the gods continued to shape the destinies of heroes and mortals alike. One such figure was Apollo, the radiant god of the sun, who fell deeply in love with the nymph Daphne. But Daphne, dedicated to a life of chastity, fled from Apollo’s pursuit, praying for deliverance. In response, the earth transformed her into a laurel tree, and Apollo, heartbroken, swore to forever honor her by wearing the laurel wreath. Elsewhere, tragic lovers Pyramus and Thisbe met under the veil of night, but misfortune tore them apart. Believing Thisbe had been devoured by a lion, Pyramus took his own life, staining the white mulberries with his blood. Thisbe, discovering her beloved dead, followed him into the embrace of death, and the mulberries were forever tinged with a deep crimson in memory of their love.

Amidst these tales of passion and sorrow, other great heroes rose to confront the challenges placed before them by the gods. The story of Perseus, for instance, is one of courage and divine intervention. Armed with gifts from the gods—a shield from Athena, winged sandals from Hermes, and a sword from Hephaestus—Perseus ventured to slay the monstrous Medusa, whose gaze could turn men to stone. With swift precision, Perseus beheaded the gorgon and used her head as a weapon, defeating many enemies, including a sea serpent that threatened the life of Andromeda, whom he later wed.

The mighty Heracles, known for his unparalleled strength, was another hero whose life was marked by the will of the gods. Cursed by Hera, the jealous wife of Jupiter, Heracles was driven mad and committed unspeakable acts, including the murder of his own family. To atone, he undertook twelve seemingly impossible labors, from slaying the Nemean lion to capturing the three-headed dog Cerberus from the underworld. Through his triumphs, Heracles proved his worth and was granted immortality, ascending to Olympus to join the gods.

Across the seas in the distant lands of Britain, the legend of King Arthur and his noble knights unfolded. Arthur, the once and future king, was raised in secret until the moment came for him to claim his birthright. Guided by the wise Merlin, he pulled the enchanted sword Excalibur from the stone, a symbol of his divine kingship. Under his rule, the Round Table was formed, uniting the bravest knights in a quest for justice, honor, and the fabled Holy Grail. Among these knights were the valiant Lancelot, whose forbidden love for Queen Guinevere ultimately led to the kingdom’s downfall, and Galahad, the purest of them all, who succeeded in the quest for the Grail and was granted a vision of the divine.

While Arthur’s kingdom prospered for a time, it was not immune to betrayal. Mordred, Arthur’s illegitimate son, conspired against him, leading to the final, tragic battle where Arthur was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, Arthur instructed that Excalibur be returned to the Lady of the Lake, and with his final breath, he was borne away to Avalon, where it was said he would one day return to restore his kingdom.

In the realm of medieval Europe, the reign of Charlemagne gave rise to a new era of chivalry and conquest. Charlemagne, the great emperor, sought to unite the fractured lands under Christianity, his campaigns stretching far and wide. His twelve peers, led by the fearless Roland, defended his empire from invaders, particularly during the Battle of Roncevaux. Betrayed by Ganelon, a treacherous knight, Roland fought valiantly but was ultimately overwhelmed. As he lay dying, he blew his legendary horn, Oliphant, summoning Charlemagne to avenge his death and carry on his legacy.

Through the centuries, myth and legend intertwined, shaping the fabric of Europe’s cultural heritage. The gods of old faded from memory, replaced by the rise of new faiths, but their stories endured, carried in the hearts and minds of those who sought meaning in the mysteries of the world. Heroes like Perseus, Heracles, and Arthur became immortal through their deeds, while the gods themselves watched from the heavens, their influence felt in every corner of the earth. Whether through love, tragedy, or triumph, the tales of gods and mortals alike continue to resonate, reminding all who hear them of the timeless power of myth.

Main Characters

The stories in Bulfinch’s Mythology cover a wide array of characters, depending on the specific myths being recounted. Here are some of the central characters:

• Prometheus: A Titan who defies Zeus by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, symbolizing human progress and rebellion against divine authority. His punishment is eternal suffering, as an eagle perpetually devours his liver.

• Pandora: The first woman created by the gods, she brings misfortune to humanity by opening a jar (often referred to as Pandora’s Box) containing all the evils of the world, though hope remains inside.

• Apollo: The god of the sun, prophecy, and music, Apollo is portrayed in various myths, including his pursuit of the nymph Daphne and his victory over the Python.

• Daphne: A nymph who flees from Apollo and is transformed into a laurel tree, representing unattainable love and nature’s resistance to domination.

• Pyramus and Thisbe: Star-crossed lovers whose tragic deaths are reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Their blood is said to have turned the white mulberries red.

Theme

• Rebellion and Punishment: Stories like Prometheus’ rebellion against Zeus highlight the theme of defiance against the gods, with the ensuing harsh punishments as reminders of the consequences of challenging divine authority.

• Love and Transformation: Several myths, such as that of Apollo and Daphne, revolve around themes of unrequited love and transformation, often turning humans into natural forms like trees or flowers, symbolizing the merging of human emotion with nature.

• The Fall of Innocence: Myths like that of Pandora’s Box deal with the loss of innocence and the introduction of evil into the world, a recurring motif that echoes humanity’s curiosity and its consequences.

• Heroism and Divine Favor: Many myths involve heroes like Perseus, Heracles, and others who are favored by the gods for their bravery or intelligence. These heroes often accomplish great feats, underscoring the theme of divine favor aiding human endeavors.

Writing Style and Tone

Thomas Bulfinch employs a clear, narrative style that seeks to simplify complex myths for the general reader. His prose is accessible, often blending poetic flourishes with straightforward storytelling. He avoids the literal translation of ancient texts, instead retelling them in a way that preserves the essential poetic qualities and moral lessons of each story while making them easier for modern readers to understand.

The tone of Bulfinch’s Mythology is both educational and entertaining. Bulfinch wrote with the intention of making mythology not a dense academic study but an enjoyable relaxation from study. His tone remains respectful of the original myths but light enough to keep readers engaged, as though he is telling a series of captivating stories rather than analyzing them in a dry or overly critical manner.