Why Myths Matter - With Stephen Fry

[@JohnKocan]

Thank you for this. Such a rare occasion (not just nowadays but, I suspect, throughout all of human history) to hear an intelligent discourse. A monologue, really. I marvel at Mr. Fry’s ability to speak at great length on any given topic with grace, insight and perspective. He is a treasure.

[@MrRosebeing]

I think intelligent discourses occurred through much of history, not so much nowadays, though.

[@BlueBaron3339]

I have his Greek mythology books too...in audio form, of course, because his narration is so splendid. And you'll note that he refers to closing the lid on Pandora's Jar. He explains that Erasmus's translation of Hesiod's Pandora confused pithos (storage jar) with pyxis (box). He's a polymath. Unlike many polymaths, kind and loveable. Mostly, he's in love with humanity and the Greeks not only fully mapped the human psyche first, they did in timeless way that's never been equalled since. Hence the importance of knowing their stories.

[@Subfightr]

Oh... My... Goodness. How did you manage to contain yourself?! You had THE Stephen Fry on your show, you spoke with the man, his words were directed towards your beautiful face and ears. Wow.

[@dianemartin6077]

😅

[@Subfightr]

@@dianemartin6077 indeed

[@thedailylines]

Simply lovely discourse! I do sometimes marvel that Stephen Fry is mortal and sharing this globe with us. At the moment it's one of the most reassuring thoughts of all.

[@ClassicalWisdom]

Well said!

[@jeromesullivan4015]

Huge fan of Mr Fry, talent and brains..what more is needed?

[@MrSvenovitch]

A reality check

[@jackjames3190]

It’s so wonderfully refreshing and a relief to see someone being interviewed and that person being allowed to answer those questions without interruption or being steered. The skill this lady has just goes to show why I can’t stand watching anyone be interviewed elsewhere - the presenter is all to often more interested in steering the conversation back to talking about themselves instead of listening to the answer of their own questions (!) Bravo on a fantastic piece of work 🎉

[@DavidTizzard]

This is wonderful. Congratulations and thank you for sharing Steven with us

[@ricardocnassif]

Masterful. Also, Fry is the easiest person to interview I know. You actually don't have to ask anything, just setting his free is enough. And then you (me) listen and learn.

[@ClassicalWisdom]

I mostly tried to not get in his way ;-)

[@Dignity_first]

@@ClassicalWisdomthank you do much for this wonderful interview!) It's a pure pleasure…

[@georgekokkos5347]

Watching now! So inspiring to hear Fry talk!

[@mumbleweed2729]

Thank you for a fantastic talk... have Stephen Fry's latest book on order... would highly recommend his earlier works. 😁

[@benedictpotter8258]

“O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! And yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping.”

[@rosemarymcbride3419]

Just happened to pick up Troy from the library on a whim and I thoroughly enjoyed it, looking forward to reading the others!

[@Tharg_the_mighty]

It's all good! If you want to try audiobooks, try his readings of the PG Wodehouse stories and Sherlock Holmes too. All excellent 😊

[@apoetreadstowrite]

Thanks for this wonderful interview. I have been following you for a while, & always enjoy your Classical engagements. And I just adore Fry. I have my own BookTube channel, & I've recently done videos on the Emily Wilson verse translations of Homer (with comparisons back to the wonderful Robert Fagels work). Emily Wilson is an absolute wonder!

[@ClassicalWisdom]

We actually have an upcoming tour 'in search of Homer' with Emily Wilson herself... details to come ;-)

[@apoetreadstowrite]

@@ClassicalWisdom: Oh, wow!

[@justinwalker4475]

What wonderful souls x

[@eirintowne]

The world is divided into two types of thinkers: - Those able to extrapolate from incomplete data sets, and -

[@alexandery8508]

What are the philosophers that have studied in ancient Egypt. What do they think of it and how can that be seen or experienced today by traveling to the modern day Egypt. I remember this channel made a series of different ancient places in greece and in Asia minor to travel and to experience but is there such in Egypt:north Africa? Thank you for this interesting discussion Stephen and Anya!

[@alexandery8508]

... as we unfortunately could not cover the places first mentioned but could cover Egypt for me to perhaps experience somewhat interesting too

[@alexandery8508]

If we consider this too be considered we can perhaps do a 30 to 45 minute interesting video about what are the famous philosophers and historians that were studying in ancient Egypt and to what subject, myths did they attach themselves

[@ClassicalWisdom]

@@alexandery8508 Yes! The history of Egypt is very storied and complex and has had a HUGE influence on the ancient Greeks and Romans. You can see this even with the literal Obelisks stolen from Egypt and located throughout Rome. it would take several videos (indeed lifetimes!) to discuss... though we have touched quite a few times on Roman Egypt (Hypatia, Cleopatra, the wonders of the ancient world). There are also a lot of stories of the pre-socratic philosophers studying in Egypt and Asia Minor...

[@george474747]

What's the opening piece of music?

[@robertgerrity878]

The Bull From The Sea by Mary Renault -- Stephen, she was a lesbian. Bought Bull ss 1st America edition at 13.

[@starnejme6902]

Stephen Fry. Just finished Heroes.

[@MacMacPherson]

CG Jung and Joseph Campbell brought me here

[@robertgerrity878]

Individuating Soul Journey, which Fry embodies for us.

[@Howler54Z]

This was 3 hours too short!

[@mauleypeach]

@Anya Leonard @Stephen Fry, I'm a science guy ususally much like Aristotelianism so how did these things meet irl?

[@RonJohnstone-yq5fw]

I knew Stephen at C'bridge the questioner's an absolute babe lol!

[@tonybarnes8019]

What a very lovely looking lady she is, i was listening to Stephen , but looking at her.

[@MrRosebeing]

Because myths are wonderful stories that are allegorical and do not tell you what to do or how to behave, in general.

[@CONNELL19511216]

Moths matter too 😜

[@bluegtturbo]

He has more brains than God😂

[@tombombadil9123]

she looks like she's wrapped up in a blanket so online 😂

[@eric.aaron.castro]

'literature derives from myth'. Myths and stories are the foundation of a society, not ideas or philosophies

[@starcapture3040]

Mythology which wasn't a mythology to its own tellers do present Ideas connected to philosophies of those ideas. Greek mythology is less of myth but they are more closer to legends. since they were transformed into literature transformed and re transformed from older civilizations like Ovid or apollodorus of athens we know names of the authors whom have inserted a bis and concepts of newer literature to them and so modern inputs are even worse best example is Edith Hamilton she inserted delusional euro centric concepts. True mythology is like the Mesopotamian mythology where its oral tradition is kept alive in its telling on clay tablets thousands and thousands years old created by its original authors whom we don't know their names, the amount of depth and symbolism is more greater than its literately telling not aiming for entertainment. Greek myths are legends rather than myths.

[@josephturner7569]

That "trolley" problem was solved by Captain Kirk.

[@iandanforth]

"Coming out in October?" Amazon says it won't be out until May 2025 in the US!

[@ClassicalWisdom]

I think there are different US/UK release dates

[@geoffreynhill2833]

How obvious it is that subtitles are provided by so-called Artificial Intelligence. Surely a human could do them much better and at a fraction of the cost. 🤔 geoff nelson hill, "Green Fire" UK

[@markwrede8878]

Myth is how ignorance survives without learning.

[@kadiummusic]

Myths are not important, truth is. The world is obsessed with myths and legends but very few are interested in seeking out the truth.

[@MrSvenovitch]

Because people have something to sell. Against better judgement they want to eat and stay alive. It would be better to go to sleep and not wake up though.

[@stephendaisley8645]

whiffs of elitism or erudition?

[@ubergeraldine]

What a prat. He has no idea in the origin of myth but no doubt has engineered a few to suit his agenda.

[@brigidsingleton1596]

Oh dear... A dissenter in our midst... You appear to be jealous of people who know more than you! Watch out, young Icarus... You are flying to close to the...oh too late.

[@liefsillion2825]

@@brigidsingleton1596 That damned lid is rattling again!