Difference between revisions of "H.P. Lovecraft"
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| − | + | ==Introduction== | |
| − | + | [[Image:HP Lovecraft.jpg|thumb|H.P. Lovecraft.]] | |
| − | | | + | {{wikipedia|H.P._Lovecraft|Howard Philips Lovecraft}} (1890-1937) was an American fantasy, science fiction, and horror writer. He is most known for his invention of a {{wikipedia|Cthulhu_Mythos|Cthulu mythos}} and a fictional book called the Necronomicon which was hyped in his books to be capable of calling back ancient gods of death and destruction. |
| − | }} | + | |
| − | + | In many ways, Lovecraft was the antithesis of [[Aleister Crowley]]. Both were victims of illness during much of their childhood, had a relatively abusive upbringing, and lost their fathers at an early age. They were both atheists, however, the fundamental philosophies inspiring both men were the exact opposite. | |
| − | [ | + | [[Aleister Crowley]] believed in gnosticism and mankind's status as divine extensions of God, with everything being connected on a deep level with only perceived separation. Lovecraft, however, gave us a completely different vision of the universe and man's place within it. In Lovecraft's world, man was an insignificant speck in a vast cosmos, prey to vicious and terrible deities ready to wipe man off the face of the Earth at a whim. Rather than being part of God, man was instead alive only because the deities of the universe had not found him worthy of even the effort required to anhilate him. |
| − | + | In [[School Work in Summer... BLECHH!!!]], Bree references Antarctica and Pluto. These locations both play heavily into the Cthulu mythos. She does so again in [[Poor Pluto]], but this time also uses the YouTube tag "cephalopod" which could also be a reference to Cthulu. | |
| − | + | ==Necronomicon== | |
| + | The Necronomicon is a fictional book written by H.P. Lovecraft in the early 20th century in a series of short stories taking place in Massachusetts and related to the fictional Miskatonic University. It differs from the Egyptian or Tibetan books of the dead in that the Necronomicon was supposed to be used to summon the dead whereas actual books of the dead were to be memorized by the deceased and acted as a guidebook in their journey through the afterlife. The Lovecraft invention of the Necronomicon has no basis in fact and never existed except in fiction. | ||
| − | + | Before the true nature of [[the Ceremony]] was revealed, there was a great deal of discussion about it involving some sort of communion with otherworldly entities or communication with another world. These discussions included the use of rituals to open gates to other worlds or realms, communication with the dead etc. Much of this came from references to ancient Egyptology. Other parts came from references to [[Aleister Crowley]]. Many suggested that the writers of LG were familiar with the Necronomicon. | |
| − | + | ==External links== | |
| − | + | *{{wikipedia|Necronomicon|Wikipedia article on the Necronomicon}} | |
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*[http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/scripts/necronomicon.html Lovecraft's Necronomicon] | *[http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/scripts/necronomicon.html Lovecraft's Necronomicon] | ||
| + | *{{wikipedia|Old_One|Old One}} | ||
| + | {{LG schoolwork}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Speculation about religion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:14, 19 April 2009
Introduction
Howard Philips Lovecraft (1890-1937) was an American fantasy, science fiction, and horror writer. He is most known for his invention of a Cthulu mythos and a fictional book called the Necronomicon which was hyped in his books to be capable of calling back ancient gods of death and destruction.
In many ways, Lovecraft was the antithesis of Aleister Crowley. Both were victims of illness during much of their childhood, had a relatively abusive upbringing, and lost their fathers at an early age. They were both atheists, however, the fundamental philosophies inspiring both men were the exact opposite.
Aleister Crowley believed in gnosticism and mankind's status as divine extensions of God, with everything being connected on a deep level with only perceived separation. Lovecraft, however, gave us a completely different vision of the universe and man's place within it. In Lovecraft's world, man was an insignificant speck in a vast cosmos, prey to vicious and terrible deities ready to wipe man off the face of the Earth at a whim. Rather than being part of God, man was instead alive only because the deities of the universe had not found him worthy of even the effort required to anhilate him.
In School Work in Summer... BLECHH!!!, Bree references Antarctica and Pluto. These locations both play heavily into the Cthulu mythos. She does so again in Poor Pluto, but this time also uses the YouTube tag "cephalopod" which could also be a reference to Cthulu.
Necronomicon
The Necronomicon is a fictional book written by H.P. Lovecraft in the early 20th century in a series of short stories taking place in Massachusetts and related to the fictional Miskatonic University. It differs from the Egyptian or Tibetan books of the dead in that the Necronomicon was supposed to be used to summon the dead whereas actual books of the dead were to be memorized by the deceased and acted as a guidebook in their journey through the afterlife. The Lovecraft invention of the Necronomicon has no basis in fact and never existed except in fiction.
Before the true nature of the Ceremony was revealed, there was a great deal of discussion about it involving some sort of communion with otherworldly entities or communication with another world. These discussions included the use of rituals to open gates to other worlds or realms, communication with the dead etc. Much of this came from references to ancient Egyptology. Other parts came from references to Aleister Crowley. Many suggested that the writers of LG were familiar with the Necronomicon.
External links
| LG15 Schoolwork | |
|---|---|
| People | Dava Sobel · David Hume · H.P. Lovecraft · Richard Feynman |
| Works | Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead · Stargirl · Two Graves |
