Monsters in a dream: meaning in the classical sources

9 passages from 2 sources, quoted as written, every one linked to its page.

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

YOu must understand and hold in generall, that all Monsters, and impossibilities, according to the course of Nature are vain hopes of things which shall not fall out.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

Kinds and conditions of Monsters

sea monster

Freud and Jung, a separate view

A hero is devoured by a water monster in the West (to devour). The animal carries him within him to the East (sea journey). Meanwhile, he kindles a fire in the belly of the monster (to set on fire) and since he feels hungry he cuts off a piece of the hanging heart (to cut off the heart). Soon after he notices that the fish glides upon the dry land (to land); he immediately begins to cut open the animal from within outwards (to open) then he slides out (to slip out). In the fish’s belly, it had been so hot, that all his hair had fallen out (heat-hair). The hero frequently frees all who were previously devoured (to devour all) and all now slide out

Carl Jung, Psychology of the Unconscious (1916) / Collected Papers (1917), Psychology of the Unconscious, ch. V Symbolism of the Mother and of Rebirth

the whale-dragon myth so beautifully worked out by Frobenius, in which the sea monster devours the sun-hero for rebirth and where the hero must employ every stratagem to conquer the monster

Carl Jung, Psychology of the Unconscious (1916) / Collected Papers (1917), Psychology of the Unconscious, ch. V Symbolism of the Mother and of Rebirth

great fish or sea monster

Artemidorus of Daldis, Oneirocritica (1644 English translation)

TO see a great Fish in the Sea, is good for no man, onely the Dolphin excepted

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

but out of the Sea every Fish and great monster is good, for they can hurt no more, nor save themselves, and therefore besides that, our dream signifyes that our Enemies cannot hurt us: it sayes moreover, that the wicked shall be punished.

Oneirocritica (1644 English translation), The Second Booke of Artimedorus His Exposition of Dreames.

belly of the monster

Freud and Jung, a separate view

For this purpose one must, in spite of all dangers, descend into the belly of the monster[527] (journey to hell) and spend some time there. (Imprisonment by night in the sea.)

Carl Jung, Psychology of the Unconscious (1916) / Collected Papers (1917), Psychology of the Unconscious, ch. V Symbolism of the Mother and of Rebirth

3 more passages on this symbol are in the database and used by the interpreter.