Mythology Introduction Essential Questions: 1. What are myths? 2. Myths, legends, fables, folktales: What are the differences? 3. When does myth become religion? 4. Are myths all in our mind?

Purpose of myth According to Kenneth Davis, myths were a human way to explain everything: ◦ How Earth was created ◦ Where life came from ◦ Why the stars shined and seasons changed ◦ Why there was sex ◦ Why there was evil ◦ Why people died & ◦ Where they went when they did (23)

Define myth Present day – something widely believed to be untrue Common – history layered with legend – “mythologized” ◦ Old West ◦ Founding Fathers

Most basic meaning “A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors or heroes that serves as a fundamental type of world view of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs or ideals of a society.” (American Heritage Dictionary; emphasis added)

Why the word mythology Derived from Greek mythos meaning “story” Plato coined mythology meaning stories containing invented figures, elaborate fictions that may reveal a larger “truth” (Davis 24)

Allegory Greek meaning essentially “saying something in a different way” Plato used allegories as teaching devices –  Allegory of the Cave

Mythology still plays a role in our everyday lives. Homer said, “All men have need of the Gods.” Since ancient times myths have been depicted through a variety of forms ◦ Cave paintings ◦ Carved pieces of bone ◦ Fertility figurines ◦ Household idols ◦ Ancient burial practices

Villages → Cities → States Associated with the gods Myths become complex and interconnected tales ◦ Organizing principles ◦ Dictating religious rituals ◦ Establishing social order ◦ Developing customs ◦ Defining everyday behavior

Mythological characters Gods or other divine beings with supernatural powers Essentially sacred or religious significance separates myth from religion

Legends: “Stories about historical figures, usually humans, not gods, that are handed down from earlier times.” (28)

Characteristics of legend Kernel of truth (usually) Embellished to emphasize a characteristic of the central figure Used to build a shared trait such as national pride or fraternity Creation of national heroes  George Washington  King Arthur

Fable “simple, usually brief, fictitious stories, typically teaching a moral, or making a cautionary point or, in some cases, satirizing human behavior” (31)

Characteristics of fable Frequently characters are animals who talk and have other human traits Moral usually told at the end Instructional – a morality tale

Folktales/Fairytales: Stories handed down orally; involves common people and is intended to entertain rather than instruct. (32)

Characteristics of folktales Not supposed to have happened Do not have national heroes (like legends do) Generally emphasize the customs, superstitions and beliefs of ordinary people

Fairytales Include supernatural creatures like elves, pixies, witches, fairies, etc.

Shared traits of folk and fairy tales Central character usually a person of low status Mistaken identity Victimized or persecuted Overcome adversity – often with magical help Restored to proper place in society

Religion: “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, practices and worship that may center on one supreme God or deity or on a number of gods or deities” (44) 8 major religions ◦ Buddhism ◦ Christianity ◦ Confucianism ◦ Hinduism ◦ Islam ◦ Judaism ◦ Shinto ◦ Taoism

Shared traits Religion rituals Belief in a deity or prophet Sacred stories ◦ “…in the modern study of religion, there is no implication that a myth is false.” (Smart qtd. in Davis 44)

According to Psychologists Myth originated in the unconscious mind. Carl Jung coined the term collective unconscious ◦ Shared by all mankind ◦ Organized into basic patterns and symbols called archetypes

From Man and His Symbols “From time immemorial, men have had ideas about a Supreme Being (one or several) and about the Land of the Hereafter; Only today do they think they can do without such ideas” (Jung qtd. Davis 48).

Albert Einstein wrote, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science” (qtd. Davis 49).

“Myth taken together is too complex, too many-faceted, to be explained by a single theory.” − Barry B. Powell

“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers,” wrote James Thurber.