Paramyth

The translation of »fairy tale« in modern Greek would be »pa?aµ???« (paramyth). The indication that there is a hidden, persisting and intriguing relationship between myths and the paramyths of the fairy tale is very fascinating. Maybe it is especially relevant when it comes to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. At least, one could say that already the exceptional worldwide reception of these fairy tales indicates that they fulfill their function in very different cultural and historical contexts (as myths do). In looking at the mythological dimensions of Andersen’s fairy tales one could first of all discuss in how far it is possible to use the explicit and implicit intertextual references to antique myths (especially Ovid) in his fairy tales in order to establish new readings. Further on, thematic allusions to different forms of metamorphoses (and the corresponding transformations between female/male, living/dead, nature/culture, animal/human) or violent family conflicts are examined in order to illuminate the mythic dimensions of Andersen’s texts (which of course is connected to current gender-theoretical, ecocritical or ethical questions). Also is discussed if modern theoretical definitions of myths could be useful to describe structural peculiarities of Andersen’s fairy tales.