Mythopoeia
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'''Mythopoeia''' (Greek, "mythos-making") is the title of a poem by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], and the name of a term coined by him. | '''Mythopoeia''' (Greek, "mythos-making") is the title of a poem by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], and the name of a term coined by him. | ||
| − | "Mythopoeia" was created as reaction to [[C.S. Lewis]]' statement that myths were "lies breathed through silver." The poem takes a position opposed to rationalism and materialism, referring to the creative human author as "the little maker" wielding his "own small golden sceptre" ruling his | + | "Mythopoeia" was created as reaction to [[C.S. Lewis]]' statement that myths were "lies breathed through silver." The poem takes a position opposed to rationalism and materialism, referring to the creative human author as "the little maker" wielding his "own small golden sceptre" ruling his [[Sub-creation]] (understood as genuine Creation within God's primary Creation). |
While quoted in "[[On Fairy-Stories]]" (1947), and mentioned by [[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' (1977), the poem was first published in its entirety in the 1988 edition of ''[[Tree and Leaf]]''.<ref>{{CG|RG}}, pp. 620-2</ref> | While quoted in "[[On Fairy-Stories]]" (1947), and mentioned by [[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' (1977), the poem was first published in its entirety in the 1988 edition of ''[[Tree and Leaf]]''.<ref>{{CG|RG}}, pp. 620-2</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 20:33, 23 November 2012
Mythopoeia (Greek, "mythos-making") is the title of a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the name of a term coined by him.
"Mythopoeia" was created as reaction to C.S. Lewis' statement that myths were "lies breathed through silver." The poem takes a position opposed to rationalism and materialism, referring to the creative human author as "the little maker" wielding his "own small golden sceptre" ruling his Sub-creation (understood as genuine Creation within God's primary Creation).
While quoted in "On Fairy-Stories" (1947), and mentioned by Humphrey Carpenter in his J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography (1977), the poem was first published in its entirety in the 1988 edition of Tree and Leaf.[1]
[edit] Fragment
I will not treat your dusty path and flat,
denoting this and that by this and that,
your world immutable wherein no part
the little maker has with maker's art.
I bow not yet before the Iron Crown,
nor cast my own small golden sceptre down.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, pp. 620-2