The Mysterious World of Dreams

Book excerpt: The meaning of dreams is one of the most fascinating topics of discussion and controversy since ancient times. The questions, Where do dreams come from? and How do dreams originate?, have had multiple answers in different times. For ancient civilizations, dreams were a form of communication with the gods. Some argue that they lack meaning, and for others, dreams are a reflection of our deepest desires, influence our behaviorthey are sources of inspiration and help us to solve problems. This book provides a global vision of dreams, beginning with the interpretation of ancient civilizations. Chapters dedicated to dreams in painting, in cinematography and, fundamentally, in literature. One chapter is devoted to the interpretation of dreams according to Freud and another to creativity through dreams that inspired inventions, novels, poetry, and musical pieces. The study of dreams by the neurosciences is also discussed.