Myth and Ritual School

<p>The enduring importance of his book <em> The Golden Bough</em> keeps J.G. Frazer's name prominent on the list of the most significant figures in modern religious studies. But by no means was Fraser the sole influence on the Cambridge-based school of thought-- myth-ritualism-- most often associated with him. In this intellectual history of the fellowship of scholars to which Frazer belonged Robert Ackerman expands our acquaintance with the myth and ritual school to include Jane Harrison Gilbert Murray F.M. Cornford and A.B. Cook all of whom were instrumental in connecting the lines of thought in myth theory classics and anthropology that had begun to converge at the turn of the last century. Ackerman's examination of the chief works of each member of the Cambridge group illuminates their primary interests in Greek myth ritual and religion and traces the threads of their arguments through the group's writings on the origins of tragedy comedy philosophy art and sport. In the book's final chapter Ackerman explores the application of myth-ritualist thought to a variety of post-classical literature.</p>