"Mythopoeia" (from Greek μυθοποεια, "mythos-making") is the title of a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Tolkien wrote it as a reaction to his friend C.S. Lewis' statement that myths were "lies breathed through silver." The poem takes a position opposed to Rationalism and materialism, referring to the creative human author as "the little maker" wielding his "own small golden sceptre" in rule over his sub-creation (understood as genuine creation within God's primary Creation).
Excerpt[]
- I will not treat your dusty path and flat,
- denoting this and that by this and that,
- your world immutable wherein no part
- the little maker has with maker's art.
- I bow not yet before the Iron Crown,
- nor cast my own small golden sceptre down.
See also[]
- The Mythopoeic Society exists to promote mythopoeic literature, partly by way of the Mythopoeic Awards.