1. The Myth, the Hero, and the Epic Mr. Hill Pre-AP English I

2. Myth Myth A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that shapes the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth. A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that shapes the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth. "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009.. "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009.. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth

3. Myth (other definitions) Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth.Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth. A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia.A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia. A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology. A fictitious story, person, or thing: "German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff).A fictitious story, person, or thing: "German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff). [ New Latin mthus, from Late Latin mthos, from Greek mūthos.] "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009.. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth

4. Mythos the underlying system of beliefs, esp. those dealing with supernatural forces, characteristic of a particular cultural group. the underlying system of beliefs, esp. those dealing with supernatural forces, characteristic of a particular cultural group. "mythos." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 30 Jan. 2009.. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mythos

5. Mythology Two broad approaches to the study of Myth: Two broad approaches to the study of Myth: –Comparative: the comparison of similarities and differences between or among belief systems –Particularist: breaking down individual myth systems and analyzing them

6. Functions of Myth Instills a sense of awe and/or mystery Instills a sense of awe and/or mystery Explains the world Explains the world Maintains a culture’s social order/identity Maintains a culture’s social order/identity

7. Categories of Myth Pure Myth: Pure Myth: –Primitive form of science that uses stories to explain: phenomenon phenomenon nature nature man’s relationship to God or the gods man’s relationship to God or the gods –Often answers the big “why” questions.

8. Categories of Myth Heroic Myth Heroic Myth –Primitive form of history; –Most important functions are: the establishment of a glorious past for a people and the establishment of a glorious past for a people and to set forth the near-perfect example of how they should live (teaches values)‏ to set forth the near-perfect example of how they should live (teaches values)‏

9. Archetype & the Collective Unconscious Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist)‏ Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist)‏ Jung states that, behind each individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-off residue of the past) lies the ‘collective unconscious’ of the human race (thoughts, feelings and inferences which are believed to be passed on from generation to generation and which influence the behavior of the individual..)‏ Jung states that, behind each individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-off residue of the past) lies the ‘collective unconscious’ of the human race (thoughts, feelings and inferences which are believed to be passed on from generation to generation and which influence the behavior of the individual..)‏

10. Archetype & the Collective Unconscious This unconscious racial memory makes powerfully effective for us a group of ‘primordial images’ shaped by the repeated experience of our ancestors and expressed in myths, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature. This unconscious racial memory makes powerfully effective for us a group of ‘primordial images’ shaped by the repeated experience of our ancestors and expressed in myths, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature.

11. Archetype In Jungian psychology, archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. In Jungian psychology, archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. A reader would use the term archetype for any image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in literature, myth, religion, folklore. It would evoke a strong response in us. A reader would use the term archetype for any image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in literature, myth, religion, folklore. It would evoke a strong response in us.

12. Other Archetypes Helpers Helpers –The hero’s “sidekick;” usually has his own abilities but somehow lacks the necessary traits of being a hero himself.

13. Other Archetypes Mentor Mentor –“wise old man”; gives the hero wisdom and often has trained for helped the hero develop his abilities

14. Other Archetypes Good (or Earth) Mother Good (or Earth) Mother –Opposite the Femme Fatale; she possesses all the positive aspects of life (protection, warmth, nurturing, sustenance).

15. Other Archetypes Femme Fatale Femme Fatale –“Deadly Lady”; a temptress who seeks to destroy the Hero or keep him from completing this mission (often is truly attracted to the hero and vice versa).

16. Other Archetypes Father Figure Father Figure –Represents all that the hero is trying to attain or find in his search –Possesses or is involved in a secret that can change the hero’s destiny

17. Other Archetypes Trickster Trickster –Many times a “helper” to the hero –Although he/she may often cause problems or “mess things up,” he/she does not want to hurt the hero.

18. Other Archetypes Nemesis Nemesis –The hero’s “sworn enemy” who oftentimes is the reason for many of the hero’s trials, adventures, and temptations. –The nemesis is a perfect adversary for the hero, usually evenly matched in ability yet opposite in temperament or values.

19. Other Archetypes Nemesis Nemesis –The hero can never seem to destroy his nemesis; he merely banishes or imprisons him for a short time.

20. Character Archetypes Hero: Embodies the values of a society and gives an example for proper behavior Hero: Embodies the values of a society and gives an example for proper behavior

21. Hero: the Primitive Hero Usually a slayer of monsters or other ghastly menaces Usually a slayer of monsters or other ghastly menaces

22. Hero: the Primitive Hero Examples: Beowulf, Conan, Ripley from Alien Examples: Beowulf, Conan, Ripley from Alien

23. Hero: the Warrior Hero Fights for personal glory and/or a dying or doomed culture or cause Fights for personal glory and/or a dying or doomed culture or cause –Has no fear of death –Lives by a rigid code of conduct –Seeks to create or revive a society

24. Hero: the Warrior Hero Examples: Examples: –Achilles –Rambo –King Arthur –Hercules –William Wallace?

25. Hero: the Metaphysical Hero On a quest for enlightenment or an unusual, very spiritual journey. The conflict is against himself as he conquers selfish urges and undergoes great temptation. On a quest for enlightenment or an unusual, very spiritual journey. The conflict is against himself as he conquers selfish urges and undergoes great temptation.

26. Hero: the Metaphysical Hero Examples from fiction? Examples from history?

27. Common Hero Patterns Born under unusual circumstances Born under unusual circumstances Son/daughter of a great king or deity Son/daughter of a great king or deity Marked for greatness by prophesy or physical trait Marked for greatness by prophesy or physical trait While young-exiled or placed in harm’s way in an attempt to be killed While young-exiled or placed in harm’s way in an attempt to be killed

28. Common Hero Patterns Must prove his “royal” claim by test or trial Must prove his “royal” claim by test or trial Accomplishes great deeds for his people Accomplishes great deeds for his people Mysterious or ambiguous death Mysterious or ambiguous death A suggestion or promise that the hero will someday return to reward or rescue A suggestion or promise that the hero will someday return to reward or rescue

29. The Epic Long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. –Most epics include elements of myth, legend, folk tale, and history. –Tone is serious and language is grand