"The book will be a superb introduction to mythological studies for a long time to come." -William G. Doty, Professor Emeritus at the University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa author of Myth: A Handbook (University of Alabama Press, 2007) Structured around a typical program of study, Robert Ellwood's accessible introduction covers all the major theories concerning the meaning and interpretation of myth, from structuralist to psychoanalytic, and includes illustrative examples throughout, including modern literary and cinematic myths, from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings.