Mythology
Major Purposes of Unit
Mythology created because man
(any time, any place) wanted
answers to the unknown.
A myth is a story that attempts to
give meaning to the mysteries of
the world; passed along through
word of mouth as stories and
songs.
Major Purposes of Unit
A myth is an explanation of
something in nature; how, for
instance, anything and everything in
the universe came into existence
We ALL have traditions; Mythology
is spread through EVERY culture.
We will use Greek Mythology as our
major example because of allusions
in literature and culture today.
How Myths Began
For at least 2,000 years, scholars have
speculated how myths began.
Some believe:
– Myths began as historical events that
became distorted over time
– Myths are man’s attempt to explain
natural occurrences that they could
not understand
– Myths justify social and individual
conventions of the people of their time
What Myths Tell Us about Society
Mythsare collective
representations of the institutions
and values of that society or
important parts within it.
These representations determine
how the individuals in the society
act and think.
Influence of Mythology
Geography, climate, government, and
other societal aspects influence the
myths of various people.
Despite the differences related to
these factors, all myths have certain
features in common.
– For example, a recent study of the
fairy tale Cinderella showed that there
are over 400 hundred variations of
the same tale.
Distinctive Qualities of Greek Myth
A world view that places human
consciousness squarely at the
center of the universe, humanism
asserts the value of the individual
human being.
Greek authors portray their gods
very much like themselves through
anthropomorphism, or ascribing
human form to supernatural beings.
Chief Contributors of Mythology
Homer (Greek, 8th Century BC)
Hesiod (Greek, 8th Century BC)
Virgil (Roman, 1st Century BC)
Ovid (Roman, 1st Century BC-AD)
Types of Myths
FolkTale: usually told for pleasure
(NOT factual), and deals with
lesser people (common folk) and
witches, elves, fairies, etc..
takes an abstract idea and
Fable:
makes it understandable to the
masses. Teaches a lesson.
Types of Myths Cont
Romance: larger than life hero.
Love story in which the hero
pursues happiness or a woman.
Fairy Tale: addresses internal
problems; the quest to overcome the
self. Not factual.
Types of Myths Cont.
Parable: similar to fable, but from the
Bible (Jesus).
Allegory:expression by means of
symbolic fictional figures and actions
of truth or generalizations about
human existence.
Types of Myths Cont.
Saga: Collections of a narratives
about a particular city or family, such
as the interconnected tales about
Troy and Thebes.
Legend: a tradition that has some
nucleus of historical truth, as
opposed to an account that is
entirely fictional.
Types of Heroes
Monster Slayer: most primitive
type. Kills monsters and makes
the world better (ie Bilbo)
Pure Hero: fights for personal
glory and fame, no matter the
cause; no fear of death; lives to
die in battle (ie Achilles).
Noble Warrior: fights for a dying,
but illuminated culture; knows he
is doomed (ie King Arthur).
Types of Heroes
Conqueror: fights to establish a
kingship or build a city (ie
Caesar).
Metaphysical: fights forces
within himself (ie Gilgamesh of
Babylonia)
The Hero
Physical vs. Mental Abilities
Heroic Saga: prose narrative of
historic or legendary figures
Quest: achivalrous enterprise in
medieval romance usually
involving an adventurous journey
Characteristics of a Hero
Unusual origins
Extraordinary
Performs a difficult task (quest)
Powerful enemies
Enemies force hero to do
additional tasks
Can work miracles
Characteristics of a Hero
Helped by powerful friends; not
always human (advice, weapons)
Suffering ends in disaster
Because of this disaster, he may
die but he will achieve greater
glory after death
Will leave the world better than he
found it
Three Stages of a Hero
Separation: decision to
embark; leave “known” world
Initiation: the quest itself
Return: “reborn”; makes new
knowledge known to others