What's your favorite mythological poem or story?

[Jasperak]

Niebelungenlied

 

[CWD]

Ooohh, that's a tough one.

I'd either say:

The Song of Roland

or

The Song of Igor's Campaign

 

[kenjib]

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

It's a cathartic journey from the known, into the unknown, and back again and the resulting revelation. It is the pure, distilled, essence of everything that fantasy represents.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I'm not sure I'd be very comfortable calling the Sagas "mythological", though there are definitely some supernatural and mythological elements. However, mythological or no, I heartily recommend all of them, especially Njals and Egils.

I'm sure lots of people feel that King Arthur is mostly historical, I've seen scores of books on the subject.

Your right though, I was stretching the definition of myth quite a bit. I second your recommendation for the reading of the sagas.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Several favorites, in addion to those named earlier:

The Mabinogion - I like the early Arthurian references, and the story of Culwch and Olwen.

Tain bo Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley), the best and most famous of the Cuchulainn poems.

The Kalevala

 

[Damror]

I'll second the Rhyme ofthe Ancient Mariner. When I was younger, I memorized most of it. That last couple sections were too dry for repeated reading, but the first half still keeps me coming back.

I've also got a collection of Ovid's writing. Much of it is very inspireing.
From "Invocation:"

Third came the age of Bronze, less soft than silver. And men in bronze were quick with sword and spear, yet all feared Jove. Then came the age of Iron and from it poured the very blood of evil...
...not only crops were hoarded; men invaded the entrails of the Earth down deeper than the river, where Death's shades weave in darkness underground; where hidden from the sight of men, Joves treasures were locked in night. There, in his sacred mines, all that drives men to avarice and murder shone in the dark: the loot was dragged to light and War, inspired by the curses of Iron and Gold, lifted blood-clotted hands and marched the earth.


Not bad for the year 8 A.D., eh??

 

[Don21584]

Wow, I'm surprised no one has said The Illiad/The Odyssey, which is definitely my favorite.
Honorable mentions: Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Macbeth

 

[Randolpho]

Well, it's not exactly mythological, other than having Merlin in it, but I'd have to say that Idyls of the King are rapidly becoming my favorite *Arthurian* stories. Expecially Gareth and Lynette. Damn, that was a good one.

Overall favorite mythological story? I'd have to say the Illiad. Although I'll gladly skip the damn roll call every time.

 

[Someguy]

I ahve to agree with Randolpho.. (Am I REALLY saying this...I really must have a fever...) The Iliad (and the oddesy) were Rock on good...(Athena is jsut kick ass)...but ya...the Roll call was long...but i didn't mind it...

 

[quexly]

I'd have to say Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came , by Robert Browning. Beautiful, brooding, sad thing.... creepy too. The Lady of Shalott is another classic - by Lord Alfred Tennyson - and T.H. Whites Once and Future King is good as well... Hell, all the Norse stuff is neat... but nothing beats Childe Roland ; at least not in my eyes.