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Anyone here read the White Goddess by Robert Graves?

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von bek

Well-Known Member
The OP is pretty self-explanatory, I suppose.

Robert Graves was a poet and writer. He was the author of, "I, Claudius" which was turned into a BBC series many years ago. He also wrote one of my favorite modern books on Greek Mythology. Another important work of his is the White Goddess. Anyone else here read it? I am interested in opinions and criticisms of his claims. I like a lot of what he has to say; but, I do not completely accept his thesis in the book. Having said that, I do believe there are a lot of worthwhile ideas in it.
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
LOL... no pressure, right? I vaguely recall picking up Graves' work back in undergrad when I was doing more intensive research on contemporary Paganisms (as I had the time to), but I'm not sure if I ever actually read it beyond skimming a few things here and there. Either way, I don't recall much of anything about it, but I'm aware that more contemporary scholars understand it was something of a fabrication. I'm of the mindset that if something is inspiring to you, use it. Don't worry about the supposed historicity or authenticity unless that's a passion of yours. We all tell stories - and... well... see part of my current signature. :D
 
V

von bek

Well-Known Member
Quintessence said:
Either way, I don't recall much of anything about it, but I'm aware that more contemporary scholars understand it was something of a fabrication. I'm of the mindset that if something is inspiring to you, use it. Don't worry about the supposed historicity or authenticity unless that's a passion of yours. We all tell stories - and... well... see part of my current signature. :D
Click to expand...

Funny thing is, Graves had no problem saying his ideas may not be historically true, he felt they were poetically true. It is probably best explained by him; but, it is an interesting stance he takes. He felt he had a connection to the Muses and one of the purposes of the White Goddess (the book) is to give praise to the Goddess that he felt lies at the heart of indigenous European religion AND "true" art. Poetry and the invention of writing is a central concern of the text. I strongly recommend checking Graves out. If you have a familiarity with Frazer's Golden Bough, you will find it a sort of companion piece. (Not that Frazer and Graves have identical ideas. There are some overlapping themes, though.)
 
V

von bek

Well-Known Member
V

von bek

Well-Known Member
Graves writes a response to some of the criticisms of the White Goddess by scholars in one of the prefaces to a later edition. He was very much aware of what was being said and he had no problem conceding that he had little hard evidence for some of his ideas. His whole stance seems designed to short-circuit such criticism. In some ways, his defense is as interesting as his thesis.
 
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GoodbyeDave

Well-Known Member
A quick check of my records reveals I read it in 1972! I remember it as being as dotty as the notes in his "Greek Myths". As a personal myth, it's interesting, but it's not factual. He was one of the greatest English poets and surely had a better claim on a Nobel prize than some I could name, but he was no scholar and was never willing to accept advice from those who were. Ironically, his mistakes on Ogham could have been avoided if he'd read his own grandfather's book on them!
 
Mindmaster

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
DavidMcCann said:
A quick check of my records reveals I read it in 1972! I remember it as being as dotty as the notes in his "Greek Myths". As a personal myth, it's interesting, but it's not factual. He was one of the greatest English poets and surely had a better claim on a Nobel prize than some I could name, but he was no scholar and was never willing to accept advice from those who were. Ironically, his mistakes on Ogham could have been avoided if he'd read his own grandfather's book on them!
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I always considered it an inspirational muse of a title, but you should read it because it is exactly where many of the ideas for modern traditions came from. If you want some poetry in your reading it's a good little book. There is at least an entertainment value, if you are thinking the historical value is cloudy.
 
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GoodbyeDave

Well-Known Member
To paraphrase the late Marion Bradley, I like reading history and I like reading fantasy, but most of all I like writers who know the difference!
 
V

von bek

Well-Known Member
DavidMcCann said:
A quick check of my records reveals I read it in 1972! I remember it as being as dotty as the notes in his "Greek Myths". As a personal myth, it's interesting, but it's not factual. He was one of the greatest English poets and surely had a better claim on a Nobel prize than some I could name, but he was no scholar and was never willing to accept advice from those who were. Ironically, his mistakes on Ogham could have been avoided if he'd read his own grandfather's book on them!
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I agree that his history can be spotty at times. However, I do find great value from reading Graves. He is always thought-provoking for me. Sure, I do not agree with everything he says. But, as you say, Graves is creating something personal. He honors the Goddess, his work is meant to pay tribute to Her by placing Her in the center of his religious imagination. I don't think you should read Robert Graves for history, you should read him for inspiration to go down your own path. You should read him because he will help give you courage to embrace a religious path that is not shared by most people around you.
 
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