By: JOSEPH CAMPBELL
“The King and the Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil,” edited by Joseph Campbell from Heinrich Zimmer’s notes, delves into the symbolic and philosophical meanings behind various myths and legends from different cultures. The book explores the eternal conflict between good and evil, using stories to illustrate the interplay between human actions, fate, and the forces of good and evil.
Key Stories and Themes:
Abu Kasem’s Slippers:
Summary: A miser’s old slippers repeatedly cause him trouble, symbolizing the inescapable nature of one’s actions and the concept of karma.
Theme: The story highlights how one’s past actions can continually affect their present and future, emphasizing the importance of change and letting go.
2. A Pagan Hero and a Christian Saint:
Summary: This section contrasts the myth of Conn-eda, an Irish prince who undergoes trials to become a perfect king, with the legend of Saint John Chrysostom, who achieves sainthood through sin, repentance, and redemption.
Theme: It explores the journey of self-completion through the mastery and assimilation of conflicting opposites, and the different paths to spiritual fulfillment.
3. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight:
Summary: An Arthurian legend where Sir Gawain accepts a challenge from a mysterious Green Knight, leading to a journey of self-discovery and moral testing.
Theme: The tale examines human flaws, the nature of true honor, and the integration of life’s dualities (life and death, male and female).
Main Arguments:
Interplay of Human Actions and Fate: The stories illustrate how human actions are intertwined with fate and the cosmic battle between good and evil.
Philosophical Insights: Zimmer’s commentary reveals deeper philosophical meanings within these myths, suggesting they reflect universal truths about the human condition.
Moral Integrity and Self-Awareness: The tales emphasize the importance of self-awareness, moral integrity, and accepting life’s dualities.
Additional Details:
Publication and Context: The book was prepared from Zimmer’s extensive notes after his death in 1943 and published in 1948 as part of the Bollingen Series.
Visual and Contextual References: The editor’s foreword and the list of plates provide additional context and visual references for the stories discussed.
Overall, “The King and the Corpse” is a rich exploration of mythological narratives that delve into the complexities of human nature, the struggle between good and evil, and the quest for spiritual and moral integrity.
BOLLINGEN SERIES XI, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
