CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Myth, a symbolic narrative, usually of unknown origin and at least partly traditional,
that ostensibly relates actual events and that is especially associated with religious belief. It is
distinguished from symbolic behaviour (cult, ritual) and symbolic places or objects (temples,
icons). Myths are specific accounts of gods or superhuman beings involved in extraordinary
events or circumstances in a time that is unspecified but which is understood as existing apart
from ordinary human experience. The term mythology denotes both the study of myth and
the body of myths belonging to a particular religious tradition.

As with all religious symbolism, there is no attempt to justify mythic narratives or

even to render them plausible. Every myth presents itself as an authoritative, factual account,
no matter how much the narrated events are at variance with natural law or ordinary
experience. By extension from this primary religious meaning, the word myth may also be
used more loosely to refer to an ideological belief when that belief is the object of a quasi-
religious faith; an example would be the Marxist eschatological myth of the withering away
of the state.

The connection between literature and myth is one of mutual dependence. Even
though literature cannot be reduced to myth and myth cannot be reduced to literature, neither
of the two can exist on its own: myth has always been ―an integral element of literature. Not
only does it offer a repository of multifaceted stories for the fictional world-making of
literature, which expands, modifies, or rewrites mythological elements in the process of
creative reception. It also provides the narrative strategies which literature evolves from as it
is indicated in Aristotle‘s Poetics, where mythos refers to plot, to a unified construct of
required and probable actions. Furthermore, as suggested by the etymology of mythos.
myth epitomizes the very origin of literature, which is rooted in oral tradition and the
performance of literary texts. Rather than referring to mythos in the Aristotelian sense of the
term, which has been treated by Northrop Frye, for instance, who conceives myth as a
structural organizing principle of literary form, myth, in this paper, will be used to denote an
invented, traditional story, which embodies and provides an explanation, aetiology, or
justification for something such as the early history of a society, or a natural phenomenon.
The following analysis therefore will concentrate on the origins of mythological narratives in
classical antiquity and focus on stories as they have been transmitted and received by Greek
and Latin literature and which have henceforth served as a foundation for modern myth-
making, providing the mythological archive for characters and themes in literature and art.
For the purpose of this paper and the investigation of a possible connection of literature and
myth, literature will be understood as the corpus of texts that have entered into writing or
printing, which allows for a first differentiation between literature and myth, which has
emerged from story-telling. While being rooted in oral tradition, myth is contingent on its
translation into other media, primarily art and literature to preserve and perpetuate its imagery
as well as its knowledge, which becomes retrievable in different cultural, geographical, and
temporal space. Considering the fact that the understanding of mythological elements that
appear in art ultimately requires their re-embedding into a literary dimension where they
become readable and decipherable, literature emerges as the supreme instrument for the
transportation of mythical stories. Thus, literature is not only constituted by, but also
constitutive for the communication of myth.

Mythology is one of the oldest and most important forms of literature in the world. It
is a collection of traditional stories, beliefs, and legends that explain the origin of the
universe, the creation of human beings, the existence of gods and goddesses, heroes, natural
phenomena, and the customs of different societies. The word "mythology" comes from the
Greek words mythos, meaning "story" or "legend," and logos, meaning "study" or
"discourse." Myths were not originally written down but were passed from one generation to
another through oral storytelling. These stories were preserved because they reflected the
beliefs, traditions, religious practices, and moral values of ancient civilizations. As societies
developed, myths became an essential part of literature and were written in the form of epics,
poems, dramas, and later novels. Even in the modern world, mythology continues to inspire
writers because it deals with universal human experiences such as love, sacrifice, courage,
jealousy, destiny, justice, suffering, hope, and redemption. For this reason, mythology
remains one of the strongest foundations of world literature.

There is no single person who introduced mythology into literature because

mythology developed naturally through the oral traditions of ancient cultures. Long before
writing systems existed, people created stories to explain mysteries that they could not
understand, such as the creation of the earth, the movement of the sun and the moon, natural
disasters, death, and the changing seasons. These stories became an important part of their
culture and identity. When writing became common, many poets and scholars recorded these
oral traditions. Among the earliest and most influential writers were Homer and Hesiod, who
lived in ancient Greece. Homer wrote the famous epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey,
which describe the adventures of legendary heroes and the intervention of the Greek gods in
human life. Hesiod wrote Theogony, a poem that explains the origin of the Greek gods and
the creation of the universe. Later, the Roman poet Ovid wrote Metamorphoses, a collection
of myths that tells stories of transformation, love, revenge, and divine power. These writers
did not invent mythology, but they preserved and developed it into literary masterpieces that
have influenced generations of readers and writers across the world.

Mythology is evaluated not by asking whether the stories are historically true but by
understanding their literary, cultural, philosophical, and psychological significance. Every
myth reflects the beliefs and values of the society in which it was created. Through myths,
people expressed their understanding of life, nature, morality, and the relationship between
humans and the divine. Literary scholars evaluate mythology by studying its themes,
symbols, characters, and moral messages. Myths often contain symbolic meanings that
represent human emotions, struggles, and desires. They also explore universal themes such as
the conflict between good and evil, the importance of sacrifice, the search for identity, the
consequences of pride, the power of love, and the inevitability of fate. Psychologists such as
Carl Jung believed that myths express universal patterns of the human mind and reveal
common experiences shared by all people. Historians and anthropologists study myths
because they provide valuable information about the customs, traditions, and religious beliefs
of ancient civilizations. Therefore, mythology continues to be studied not because it records
historical facts but because it reveals profound truths about human nature and culture.

During the eighteenth century, mythology became an important source of inspiration

for many writers who wished to explore imagination, spirituality, and philosophical ideas.
One of the most remarkable writers of this period was William Blake, an English poet,
painter, and visionary. Blake believed that imagination was the highest form of human
understanding, and he created his own symbolic mythological world to express his ideas. His
literary works combine Biblical stories with original mythological characters that represent
innocence, experience, freedom, oppression, and the human soul. In works such as The
Marriage of Heaven and Hell, Blake used mythology to challenge traditional beliefs and
encourage readers to think independently about religion, morality, and society. His unique
approach demonstrated that mythology could be used not only to retell ancient stories but
also to express new philosophical and artistic ideas.

Another important eighteenth-century writer was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one
of the greatest figures in German literature. Goethe combined classical mythology with
philosophy, religion, and psychology in his writings. His masterpiece Faust tells the story of
a scholar who makes a pact in his search for unlimited knowledge and happiness. Throughout
the work, Goethe includes references to Greek mythology, classical legends, and Christian
beliefs to explore the complexity of human ambition, temptation, knowledge, and
redemption. His use of mythology enriches the narrative by connecting ancient traditions
with modern human experiences. Goethe's works influenced many later writers and
demonstrated that mythology could remain relevant in every period of history.

The nineteenth century witnessed a renewed interest in mythology as writers sought to

preserve ancient legends for modern readers. Nathaniel Hawthorne became one of the most
respected American authors to adapt Greek mythology for young audiences. In A Wonder-
Book for Girls and Boys, he retold famous myths in simple and attractive language without
losing their beauty or moral significance. Through stories of heroes, gods, and magical
adventures, Hawthorne introduced readers to the richness of Greek mythology and
encouraged an appreciation of classical literature. His retellings continue to be valued
because they make complex myths understandable while preserving their essential meaning.

Another important figure of the nineteenth century was Thomas Bulfinch. His famous
work Bulfinch's Mythology became one of the most widely read collections of classical
mythology in the English language. Instead of creating new myths, Bulfinch collected and
explained stories from Greek, Roman, Norse, and other mythological traditions in a clear and
accessible style. His work helped students, writers, artists, and general readers understand the
mythological references that frequently appear in literature, painting, sculpture, and music.
Even today, Bulfinch's Mythology remains an important reference book for the study of
mythology.

The twentieth century brought a remarkable revival of mythology through fantasy

literature. C. S. Lewis created the magical world of The Chronicles of Narnia, where
mythological creatures such as fauns, centaurs, giants, unicorns, and talking animals coexist
with human characters. Lewis combined Greek mythology, Roman mythology, and Christian
symbolism to create stories that teach moral values such as courage, honesty, forgiveness,
and self-sacrifice. His imaginative use of mythology has made the Narnia series one of the
most beloved works of children's literature.

Another outstanding twentieth-century writer was J. R. R. Tolkien, whose literary

achievements transformed modern fantasy. As a professor of language and literature, Tolkien
was deeply influenced by Norse, Celtic, Finnish, and Anglo-Saxon mythology. Rather than
simply adapting existing myths, he created an entirely new mythological universe with its
own history, languages, cultures, heroes, and legends. His novels The Hobbit, The Lord of the
Rings, and The Salmoriglio illustrate how mythology can be reinvented to create an original
fictional world while preserving the timeless themes of courage, friendship, sacrifice, hope,
and the struggle against evil. Tolkien's works continue to inspire writers, filmmakers, and
readers throughout the world.

In the twenty-first century, mythology remains an important literary influence. Alex

Michaelides, a British-Cypriot novelist, achieved international success through his
psychological thriller The Silent Patient. The novel is closely connected to the Greek myth of
Alcestis, a woman who willingly sacrifices her life for her husband. Michaelides uses this
ancient myth to deepen the psychological meaning of his novel and to explore themes such as
love, silence, guilt, trauma, betrayal, and emotional suffering. Rather than simply retelling the
myth, he adapts its central ideas to a modern psychological narrative, demonstrating that
mythology continues to remain relevant in contemporary fiction.

Another significant contemporary writer is Madeline Miller, whose novels have

introduced Greek mythology to a new generation of readers. Her novels The Song of Achilles
and Circe present ancient mythological characters as emotionally complex human beings
with realistic feelings, struggles, and relationships. By combining careful historical research
with beautiful literary style, Miller has shown that mythology continues to evolve while
preserving its timeless appeal. Her works have received international recognition for making
classical myths meaningful to modern audiences.

The continued popularity of mythology in literature proves that myths are far more
than ancient stories. They preserve the cultural memory of civilizations, express universal
human emotions, and provide moral and philosophical guidance across generations. Writers
from the eighteenth century to the twenty-first century have demonstrated that mythology
remains a living tradition capable of adapting to changing societies and literary styles.
Whether through poetry, fantasy, psychological fiction, or historical retellings, mythology
continues to inspire imagination and creativity. The works of William Blake, Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Thomas Bulfinch, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R.
Tolkien, Alex Michaelides, and Madeline Miller clearly show that mythology is timeless. Its
influence extends beyond literature into art, religion, philosophy, cinema, and popular
culture, ensuring that the myths of the ancient world continue to educate, inspire, and enrich
readers throughout the modern world.

In conclusion, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a remarkable psychological

thriller that successfully blends modern fiction with the Greek myth of Alcestis. Through the
characters of Alicia Berenson and Theo Faber, the novel explores themes of silence, trauma,
love, betrayal, guilt, and sacrifice. Michaelides demonstrates that ancient myths continue to
remain relevant in contemporary literature by giving them new psychological meaning. The
novel proves that mythology is not merely a story of the past but a timeless literary tool that
helps readers understand the complexities of human emotions and behaviour. Thus, The
Silent Patient stands as an excellent example of the enduring influence of mythology in
twenty-first-century literature.

The first chapter, Introduction, deals with the life and literary career of Alex
Michaelides and traces the development of psychological thriller as a significant genre in
contemporary English literature. It also provides a general discussion on mythology and its
influence on modern fiction, with particular reference to the Greek myth of Alcestis. The
chapter introduces the concept of silence as both a psychological and symbolic expression
and examines how Michaelides adapts the ancient myth into a contemporary narrative. A
brief summary of The Silent Patient is also included to establish the background of the study.

The second chapter, Painting a Myth: Alcestis and the Art of Silence in The Silent
Patient, analyses the relationship between the Greek myth of Alcestis and Alex Michaelides'
novel. It examines how the myth is transformed into a modern psychological framework
through the character of Alicia Berenson, whose silence becomes a powerful symbol of
trauma, guilt, sacrifice, and emotional resistance. The chapter further explores the artistic and
symbolic dimensions of silence, the psychological complexity of the characters, and the use
of myth as a literary device that enriches the narrative. It also discusses how the novel
reinterprets an ancient myth to address contemporary issues of identity, memory, obsession,
and emotional suffering.

The third chapter, Conclusion, summarizes the major findings of the study by
emphasizing the enduring relevance of mythology in contemporary literature. It concludes
that The Silent Patient is not merely a psychological thriller but a creative reinterpretation of
the myth of Alcestis, where silence functions as a profound artistic and psychological
expression. The chapter highlights how Alex Michaelides successfully bridges classical
mythology and modern fiction, demonstrating that ancient myths continue to illuminate the
complexities of human emotions and remain a timeless source of literary inspiration.