In 'The White Goddess,' Robert Graves embarks on a mesmerizing exploration of mythology, poetry, and language, positing that the muse of all poetry is a divine feminine figure. He weaves ancient history with personal narrative, leading readers through the winding paths of inspiration that have shaped human creativity. Graves argues that understanding this muse illuminates the very essence of artistic expression across cultures. The book not only delves into specific myths and legends but also invites a profound reflection on the role of women in myth and the psyche of poets. A journey filled with lyrical prose, it challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with art and the divine.
By Robert Graves
Published: 2013
"A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language."
The definitive edition of one of the more extraordinary and influential books of our time This labyrinthine and extraordinary book, first published more than sixty years ago, was the outcome of Robert Graves's vast reading and curious research into strange territories of folklore, mythology, religion, and magic. Erudite and impassioned, it is a scholar-poet's quest for the meaning of European myths, a polemic about the relations between man and woman, and also an intensely personal document in which Graves explores the sources of his own inspiration and, as he believed, all true poetry. Incorporating all of Graves's final revisions, his replies to two of the original reviewers, and an essay describing the months of illumination in which The White Goddess was written, this is the definitive edition of one of the most influential books of our time.
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“A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language.”
The White Goddess
By Robert Graves
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Robert Graves (1895–1985) was a distinguished British poet, historical novelist, critic, and classicist known for his innovative writing style and exploration of mythology and history. His notable works include 'I, Claudius' and its sequel 'Claudius the God', which blend historical fact and imaginative narrative, and the poetry collection 'The White Goddess', which delves into the themes of mythology and the feminine divine. Graves's writing is characterized by a keen sense of irony, lyrical beauty, and a profound understanding of the human condition.
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