Mythology Theories on how myths began

Theorists of Mythology Euhemerus Muller Tylor Malinowski Frazer

Euhemerus Greek Scholar; late 300s-early 200s B.C.

Euhemerus’ Theory He was one of the first scholars to suggest that all myths are based on historical facts. Euhemerus’ theory has one basic weakness-- -lack of enough historical evidence.

Friedrich Max Muller German-born British language scholar; late 1800s

Muller’s Theory He suggested that all gods and mythical heroes were really representations of nature divinities and heroes were originally a symbol for the sun in one of its phases. When theories such as Theogony and Rig Veda appeared, the symbolic purpose of the gods was forgotten. Today few scholars take Muller’s main theories seriously, yet influenced other later theories about the origins of myth.

Sir Edward Burnett Tylor English anthropologist; 1800s

Tylor’s Theory He believed that myths began through man’s efforts to account for the unexplainable occurrences in dreams. The idea that all things in nature have souls is called animism. He considered animism as the first step in the development of human thought and the basis of myth.

Bronislaw Malinowski’s Theory Polish born-British anthropologist; early 1900s

Malinowski’s Theory Emphasized the psychological conditions that lead man to create myths. He felt that all people recognized that a frontier exists between what man can and cannot explain logically. Manlinowski believed that man had to create such myths to relieve the tension brought on by his not knowing why something happens.

Sir James George Frazer Scottish anthropologist; late 1800s

Frazer’s Theory He believed that myths began in the great cycle of nature---birth, growth, decay, death, and rebirth. Began with an attempt to explain the ancient Italian ritual at Nemi. He thought societies sacrificed symbols of their gods to keep these gods --and the world--- from decaying and dying.

Mythology What Mythology tells us about people

Mythology and Society Emile Durkheim (a French sociologist late 1800s/early 1900s) believed that every society establishes certain social institutions and values which are reflected in the society’s religion. Gods are collective representations of the institutions and values of that society.

Mythology and the Individual Carl Jung (Swiss psychoanalyst; early 1900s) developed the theory about how myths reflect the attitude and behavior of individuals.

Jung Continued… Suggested that everyone had a collective unconscious. The collective unconscious is organized into basic patterns and symbols called archetypes or ideas. Myths are one type of archetype. By studying myths and other archetypes, Jung believed scholars could trace the psychological development of mankind.