Myths and Legends
An introduction
Definition
a traditional or legendary story, usually
concerning some being or hero or event, with or
without a determinable basis of fact or a natural
explanation, esp. one that is concerned with
deities or demigods and explains some practice,
rite, or phenomenon of nature.
stories or matter of this kind: realm of myth.
Definition, Con’t
any invented story, idea, or concept: His
account of the event is pure myth.
an imaginary or fictitious thing or person.
an unproved or false collective belief that
is used to justify a social institution.
From Dictionary.com
Types of myths
nature myths
semihistorical myths
myths of explanation
creation myths
myths about the world of the dead
Definition of Legend
a nonhistorical or unverifiable story
handed down by tradition from earlier
times and popularly accepted as historical
the body of stories of this kind, esp. as
they relate to a particular people, group, or
clan: the winning of the West in American
legend
From Dictionary.com
Homework
1. What are myths used in modern society
for? How do you know this?
2. What myths were you told?
3. What were the purposes of those
myths?
4. Do you think myths will still be told in 20
years? Why or why not?