The Quest For The Holy Grail & The Origins Of The Hero Myth

The holy grail in most mythologies symbolizes Jesus' cup from the Last Supper, in which he consecrated the wine and turned it into his blood. It became a holy relic, something to be possessed at all costs. How did this story become so important across European folklore? And how does it fit into the general mythical trope of heroes and villains?

Folklore has long been obsessed with heroes & villains, in this episode of new series Myths & Monsters, we explore the strange Slavic story of Ivan and Koschei the Deathless, the origins of King Arthur and the wizard Merlin, the journey of Odysseus as he resists the beautiful songs of the Sirens, and finally, Sigurd and his battle with the dragon Fafnir.