The Hunter in Hades

Name: The Hunter in Hades
Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain

A mythological tale of the underworld, where the protagonist, a hunter, embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve the soul of his deceased wife.

By Basil Hall Chamberlain · First published 1903 · Genre: Mythology, Fantasy, Adventure · 799 words

First lines

A handsome and brave young man, who was skilful in the chase, one day pursued a large bear into the recesses of the mountains. On and on ran the bear, and still the young fellow pursued it up heights and crags more and more dangerous, but without ever being able to get near enough to shoot it with his poisoned arrows. At last, on a bleak mountain-summit, the bear disappeared down a hole in the ground. The young man followed it in, and found himself in an immense cavern, at the far end of which was a gleam of light. Towards this he groped his way, and, on emerging, found himself in another world. Everything there was as in the world of men, but more beautiful. There were trees, houses, villages, human beings. With these, however, the young hunter had no concern. What he wanted was his bear, which had totally disappeared. The best plan seemed to be to seek it in the remoter mountain district of this new world underground. So he followed up a valley; and, being tired and hungry, picked the grapes and mulberries that were hanging to the trees, and ate them as he trudged along.

What this Textopian page supports

The Hunter in Hades is listed on Textopian as a short story by Basil Hall Chamberlain, dated 1903 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Basil Hall Chamberlain
Date: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mythology, Fantasy, Adventure
Length: 799 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for The Hunter in Hades by Basil Hall Chamberlain
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Discussion starters

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Where does Mythology first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mythology — The book deals with themes from classical mythology and involves a journey to the underworld, a common motif in many mythologies.
Fantasy — The book involves elements of the supernatural and the fantastical, typical of fantasy literature.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a dangerous journey, a key element of adventure stories.