Graves, Robert.
The Greek Myths
. Vol. 1 & 2. New York: George Brazilles, Inc. 1955.
This book is a classic reference book of Greek myths giving complete accounts of all gods and goddesses. I highly recommend it for both students and teachers.
Griffith, Kelley Jr.
Writing Essays About Literature
: A Guide and Style Sheet. New York: Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich, Inc., 1982.
This book offers students step by step assistance in all aspects of writing essays about literature.
Homer.
The Odyssey,
translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Garden City; New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday & Co., 1963.
This book is the most popular and most recognized translation of Homer. I recommend xeroxing Book 21 “The Test of the Bow” for close reading in class. The critical essay at the back of the book provides essential interpretations of the text.
Homer.
Homer to Brecht
:
The European Epic and Dramatic Traditions
. ed. by Michael Seidel and Edward Mendelson. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1977.
This book is a reference book for teachers and contains an essay on
The Odyssey
by M. J. O’Loughlin. It is a good essay to read to generate classroom questions and discussions on this epic.
Lewis, C. S.
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature
. Cambridge: University Press, 1966.
An important essay on
Morte Darthur
is included in this book and gives insight into Malory’s life and his work as well as the text itself.
Malory, Sir Thomas.
Morte Darthur,
Vol. 2. London: New York: Everyman’s Library, 1906.
I recommend xeroxing Book XX of King Arthur for reading in class. “And hereafter followeth the most piteous history of the morte of King Arthur, which is the Twentieth Book.
Malory, Sir Thomas.
Malory Works
. ed. by E. Vinaver. London: Oxford University Press, 1971.
This book contains a version of
Morte Darthur
with antiquated spellings. It is most useful for the notes on the text which offer Vinaver’s insights into Malory’s version of this legend.
Otto, Walter F.
The Homeric Gods
: The Spiritual Significance of Greek Religion translated by Moses Hadas. New York: Pantheon, 1954.
This book gives the reader understanding as well as information. For example, “It is often said that it is the needs of human nature, and their growth and change that are expressed in the (pg. 10) formulation of the gods.” “The Chapter on Religion and Myth in High Antiquity” is informative reading for the teacher of this unit.
Owen, D.D. R.
Noble Lovers
. New York: New York University Press 1975.
This is a beautiful book with 105 illustrations, some full page color photos of medieval art, showing the royal courts and the allegories of love. There is a chapter on “Lancelot: Courtly Lover” and another on “The Legacy of Courtly Love”.
Reid, Margaret.
The Arthurian Legend
: Comparison of Treatment in Modern and Medieval Literature: A Study in the Literary Value of Myth and Legend. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1938.
This book gives a wonderful account of the historical and literary influence of the legends of Arthur. It is an excellent reference for teachers and should be used as a resource for classroom lectures.
Tatlock, J. S. P.
The Legendary History of Britain
: Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britannial and Its Early Vernacular Versions. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1950.
This is an excellent reference book for teachers and students doing papers. There is a section on Arthur and a section on Merlin.
