Back to the Classics #24

I read this book for reading challenge Back to the Classics 2022.

19^th Century Classic. I always thought Bulfinch was English. Turns out Thomas Bulfinch was born in Massachusetts in 1796.

The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes - Thomas Bulfinch

This collection of popularized mythology was first published in 1855. Bulfinch saw his audience as young people and adults who wanted to improve their cultural knowledge of western civilization. His intention was to educate readers of English literature “who [wish] to comprehend the allusions so frequently made by public speakers, lecturers, essayists, and poets, and those which occur in polite conversation.” He quotes from Byron, Shelley, Keats and Coleridge to show when they are alluding to old myths.

So as a collection of Greek and Roman myths, this is not a book to be read through. I read this throughout the year 2022, between other books, before bed, when in a mood for palm-of-the-hand stories. I liked the change of pace when reading Bulfinch’s stately 19^th century diction, earnest style, and words used in old ways, “Her parents ratified her wish, the gods also ratified it.”

I learned that various person names – Damon, Ione, Pamona – were from Greek mythology. I enjoyed the stories that were new to me and novel twists to familiar stories. I was surprised for example to find the hero Hercules put in an unexpected position:

Hercules in a fit of madness killed his friend Iphitus, and was condemned for this offence to become the slave of Queen Omphale for three years. While in this service the hero's nature seemed changed. He lived effeminately, wearing at times the dress of a woman, and spinning wool with the hand-maidens of Omphale, while the queen wore his lion's skin.

Crossdressing is about as close as we get to alternative lifestyles in Bulfinch. After all, he was writing for Americans, a touchy prudish people easily shocked then and now. A book for dipping into or as reference.