Hero Myths

Robert A. Segal is Professor of Theories of Religion at Lancaster University. He previously taught at Reed College, Standford University, University of Pittsburgh and Tulane University. He is the author of, among other books, Joseph Campbell: An Introduction (1987), Theorizing About Myth (1999), and editor of Jung on Mythology (1998), In Quest of the Hero (1990), and The Myth and Ritual Theory (Blackwell Publishers, 1998). He is also the European Editor of the journal Religion.

Acknowledgments. Introduction.
The Readings:.
1. Sigurd (Icelandic/Norse): Hero as Warrior.
2. John Henry (American): Hero of Strength.
3 .Finn (Irish/Celtic): National Hero.
4. Duke of Wellington (English): National Hero.
5. George Washington (American): National Hero.
6. Robin Hood (English): Class Hero.
7. Coyote (Native American): Cultural Hero.
8. Maui (Hawaiian/Polynesian): Hero as Trickster.
9. Christopher Columbus (Italian): Hero as Explorer.
10. Penthesilea (Amazonian): Female Hero as Male.
11. Eve (Biblical): Defiant Hero.
12. Prometheus (Ancient Greek): Defiant Hero.
13. Oedipus (Ancient Greek): Tragic Hero.
14. Job (Biblical): Tragic Hero.
15. Joan of Arc (French): Hero as Saint / Hero as Martyr / Female Hero as Male.
16. Galileo (Italian): Intellectual Hero.
17. Arjuna (Indian): Reluctant Hero.
18. Gilgamesh (Sumerian): Failed Hero.
19. Sisyphus (Ancient Greek): Absurd Hero.
20. Don Quixote (Spanish): Hero as Madman.
21. Davy Crockett (American): Comic Hero.
22. Elvis Presley (American): Hero as Entertainer.
Index.

This reader collects 25 stories of heroes of all kinds from around the world. Included are both non-Western and Western, female and male, modern and ancient, young and adult, lowly and noble, comic and tragic, national and universal, and historical and fictional heroes.