Myths & Monsters

Stories of heroes and the villains encountered on their adventures are among the most thrilling in all mythology. This episode examines the controversial theory that a common structure exists in such stories that transcends cultural and historical influences. That was the theory of mythologist Joseph Campbell a key influencer on icons of modern culture such as the Star Wars saga and Harry Potter.

Forest and mountain, sea and ice - the wilds of this world are a rich setting for myths and legends.This episode shows, the stories told about the wilderness and the monsters feared within it. The city-loving Ancient Greeks saw it as a realm of the divine - and a dangerous place for mortals. The Norse were master sailors, yet imagined the seas filled with terrifying monsters.

War has been a constant in human history. All civilisations have grappled with the questions it raises. It is no surprise that myths of war are among the most enduring. This episode, we show how the Romans explained their violent ways. We explore the role of the mysterious Valkyries in Norse myth. We show that war can make myths out of men too, how Vlad the Impaler acquired his gruesome nickname.

Love is a universal and powerful emotion, but it can also be destructive. Lust can destroy; betrayal can wound. Such an often-irrational force asks questions of any society. We tell the medieval romance of Tristan and Isolde, whose love affair threatened the fate of their kingdom. And we meet Medea, guilty of the darkest crime of love and passion - the murder of her own children.

How does a community form? How does it survive and adapt to change? This episode details the role myths and legends have played in establishing the rules of society and the punishments for those who break them. We also investigate the longevity of legendary outlaw Robin Hood, examine how stories of magic and malice led to the horrific witch trials of Bamberg, Germany.

Death is a frightening, unsettling prospect for us all. Myths and legends help express and explore those anxieties. But they tell us about more than mortal fear alone, for in a culture's tales of death, we can see what it is they value in life. In this final episode, we examine our enduring fascination with the undead, tracing the history of the vampire back to its roots in Eastern Europe.