Folk Tales in Greece

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses the long tradition of folk tales in Greece as they developed from antiquity through modern times. It begins with the debate about the Greek term for folk tale, paramýthi, which indicates the close relationship of folk tales to myths. It continues in a discussion of the scholarly interest in Greek folk tales initiated by western European collectors in the nineteenth century and followed by Greek scholars. The chapter talks about the variety of sources the Greek folk tale draws upon, such as the long history of Greek oral and written traditions and elements from intercultural exchanges with southeast and western European, Turkish, and other cultures. The chapter analyzes basic characteristics of Greek folk tales related to narrative style, content, and performance and refers to the appreciation of the genre in popular culture and children’s literature.