Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
H explained
This chapter provides a glossary of mythological, legendary, and historical figures, places, and concepts beginning with the letter H, including entries on gods, heroes, monsters, and locations from Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and mediev
What happens
This chapter provides a glossary of mythological, legendary, and historical figures, places, and concepts beginning with the letter H, including entries on gods, heroes, monsters, and locations from Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and medieval traditions.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Immortality
The chapter includes figures who die or are transformed into constellations, birds, or flowers, such as Hyacinthus, Halcyone, and the Hyades.
Heroism and the Quest
Hercules' twelve labors and the deeds of Hector, Huon, and other heroes are referenced.
Love and Transformation
Stories of Halcyone and Ceyx, Hero and Leander, and Hyacinthus involve love leading to metamorphosis.
Characters to notice
- Hector
Son of Priam and champion of Troy; also listed as one of Arthur's knights.
- Huon of Bordeaux
Son of Duke Sevinus, featured in medieval romance.
- Hercules
Athletic hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, known for twelve labors and slaying the Hydra.
- Siegfried
Mentioned as slain by Hagan in the Nibelungen Lied.
- Baldur
Killed by Hodur with a mistletoe-twig, as referenced in Norse mythology.
- Odin
Father of Hermod and associated with the ravens Hugin and Munin.
- Phoebus Apollo
Beloved Hyacinthus accidentally killed by him; associated with Mount Helicon.
- Tristram
His dog Houdain is mentioned.
Key passages
“Halcyone (Hal-cyˈo-ne), daughter of Aeneas, and the beloved wife of Ceyx, who, when he was drowned, flew to his floating body, and the pitying gods changed them both to birds (kingfishers), who nest at sea during a certain calm week in winter (“halcyon weather”).”
Halcyone, daughter of Aeneas and wife of Ceyx, was transformed into a kingfisher bird by the gods after her husband drowned, and they now nest at sea during a calm winter week known as 'halcyon weather.'
Illustrates the theme of love and transformation.
“Hercules (Herˈcu-les), athletic hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, achieved twelve vast labors and many famous deeds.”
Hercules, the athletic hero born of Jupiter and Alcmena, completed twelve great labors and many other celebrated feats.
Highlights the theme of heroism and quest.
“Hyacinthus (Hy-a-cinˈthus), a youth beloved by Apollo, and accidentally killed by him, changed in death to the flower, hyacinth.”
Hyacinthus, a youth loved by Apollo, was accidentally killed by the god and transformed into the hyacinth flower.
Example of love leading to transformation and mortality.