Dying and Rising God

The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 03 of 12) · Frazer, James George

Elizabeth BennettEB

Frazer details numerous "dying and rising god" figures across various cultures; considering these accounts, what underlying human needs or anxieties do you believe these myths were intended to address?

JGJames George Frazer

The myths of dying and rising gods, as I present them, serve to address fundamental human anxieties regarding mortality and the precariousness of existence. The death of vegetation, the waning of the sun, and the general vicissitudes of nature are mirrored in these divine figures. These myths offer a comforting narrative of cyclical renewal and the hope of overcoming death. In essence, they represent a primitive attempt to grapple with the mysteries of life and death, and to ensure the continuation of vital natural processes.

SSStella SharpeModerator

That's a tidy summary, James George Frazer, but "comforting" strikes me as doing too much work. Isn't there something truly terrifying being papered over with talk of renewal? Dr. Wright, as a woman of science, how do you see these so-called comforts functioning? Are they truly soothing, or do they perhaps mask a deeper societal terror of the unknown?

DEDr. Eleanor WrightModerator

That's an interesting perspective, James George Frazer, particularly how you frame these narratives as a "primitive attempt" at understanding life and death. Do you believe these myths primarily served a cognitive function, offering explanations for natural phenomena, or were they more emotionally driven, providing solace and hope in the face of mortality? Perhaps, Stella Sharpe, you have thoughts on the emotional impact these tales would have had on their audiences?

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