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The Myth of the Birth of the Hero: A psychological interpretation of mythology cover

The Myth of the Birth of the Hero: A psychological interpretation of mythology

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About This Book

The work surveys recurrent birth-and-origin motifs in hero legends from diverse cultures and subjects them to a psychoanalytic reading. It interprets patterns such as endangered infancy, concealment or exile, miraculous survival, and later triumph as symbolic expressions of familial tensions, birth-related anxieties, and ambivalent parent-child dynamics. Through comparative analysis and close readings of many traditional accounts, the author argues that these shared story-structures stem from universal psychic processes rather than solely from historical transmission. The study pairs theoretical discussion with illustrative case studies to support its psychological explanation.

About the Author

Rank, Otto portrait

Otto Rank

Otto Rank was an influential Austrian psychoanalyst and writer, known for his exploration of mythology and psychology. His notable work, "The Myth of the Birth of the Hero," presents a psychological interpretation of mythological narratives, emphasizing the significance of the hero's journey in human experience. Rank's ideas contributed to the understanding of the interplay between psychology and cultural narratives, making him a key figure in the development of psychoanalytic thought. His work continues to resonate in discussions of myth, creativity, and the human psyche.

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