The Dragon: Fear and Power

Abstract

The “Fear and Power” of dragons is the focus of Martin Arnold's extensive analysis of European and Norse dragon myths. Utilizing Levi-Strauss's theory of structuralism, the majority of the book examines multiple dragon myths from the Greeks to Westeros. Within the structuralist framework, the conflict between Nature and Nurture (culture) is identified as the foundation of human understanding of the chaos of nature versus the control by humanity (culture).Arnold describes Germanic, Celtic, Greek, and Norse dragon myths in detail.Arnold provides one chapter concerning dragon myths from China, Japan, and other Asian cultures. These are probably the oldest dragon myths in human (pre)history except for Ti'amat in the Middle East who is mentioned in the chapter on “Dragons and Saints' Lives.” Identification of additional sources for some of the myths would add substance to his arguments.Arnolds' work fits well within the European and Norse dragon mythology but does not accurately present dragon myths from other continents. For example, the Piasa dragon of Illinois is considered to be a European transplant placed into North America. No local Indigenous groups have such a myth. The Australian bunyip is more human-faerie than a dragon. Rainbow serpents are an integral element of the Dreaming, a philosophical underpinning of many Australian Aboriginal cultures, not to be confused with myths of snakes or monsters in African or Micronesian cultural systems. Dragon myths exist on every continent that humans inhabit. More inclusive detailed summaries covering myths around the globe would add to the content of the book.Arnold's analysis includes conclusions that generalize beyond the data of European/Norse myths. For example, there “always have been and always will be wars” (p. 277) is not substantiated by archaeology. The political formation of the state was motivated by war, but not tribal or band level political organizations, engaged in raids, not warfare.From a structuralist point of view, Arnold's conclusions are well grounded. A holistic perspective with extensive data from archaeology and ecological sources would expand the survey and encompass a more global understanding of dragons and their power for humans to understand the unknown.All in all, Arnold's conclusions that dragon myths are human answers to our fear of the unknown are likely to be agreed with by the majority of mythologists. The book is of particular interest to all who are fascinated with European/Norse myths of dragons.