Dissecting Dragons: Episode 75: Labyrinth - Looking at the Mystery of Mazes

Episode 75: Labyrinth - Looking at the Mystery of Mazes

 

Lots of films and books use mazes - or Labyrinths - as narrative tools both to test a characters fortitude and as a paralel for a character's internal narrative arc. But just where did the idea of mazes come from? The dragons were surprised to find that it dates back far further in history than they thought, turning up some astonishing myths and folktales. On the slab this week Labyrinth (the classic Jim Henson film), Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, Marvel series Legion, Pan's Labyrinth and the Maze Runner. Join us in this 'Fortress of Turns' as we attempt to get to the bottom of this unusual archetype.

 

Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic