Euhemerus’ Theory Historical Facts

Muller’s Theory Represents Nature Divinities Represents Nature Divinities Heroes are symbolic for the sun in one of its phases. Heroes are symbolic for the sun in one of its phases.

Tylor’s Theory Man’s effort to account for the unexplainable occurrences in dreams. Man’s effort to account for the unexplainable occurrences in dreams. animals had souls animals had souls

Malinowski’s Theory Disagreed with Tylor Disagreed with Tylor Emphasized the psychological conditions that lead man to create myths. Emphasized the psychological conditions that lead man to create myths.

Frazer’s Theory Cycle of Nature Cycle of Nature –Birth –Growth –Decay –Death –Rebirth

Myth and Society Mitra & Varuna Indra Mitra & Varuna Indra

Emile Durkheim 1800’s Sociologist Myth plays a role in understanding society as a whole. Myth plays a role in understanding society as a whole. Believed that every society establishes certain social institutions and values, which are reflected in the society's religion. Believed that every society establishes certain social institutions and values, which are reflected in the society's religion. Collective Representations of Values Collective Representations of Values

Georges Dumezil, Modern French scholar Influenced by Durkheim Influenced by Durkheim Studied Indo-European Myth Studied Indo-European Myth Indo-European Divinities collective representations of the caste (class) system Indo-European Divinities collective representations of the caste (class) system Mitra/Varuna represent Brahman or priest caste; the highest caste in Hindu society. Mitra/Varuna represent Brahman or priest caste; the highest caste in Hindu society.

Myth and the Individual Carl Jung psychoanalyst 1900’s Myths reflect attitudes and behavior of individuals (controversial). Myths reflect attitudes and behavior of individuals (controversial). Collective unconscious formed by personal experiences in the world as filtered through the senses. Collective unconscious formed by personal experiences in the world as filtered through the senses. Inherited and shared by all members of his race. (Depression) Inherited and shared by all members of his race. (Depression)

Carl Jung Archetypes include Myth, Fairy/Folk Tales, Art Home of the gods, underworlds Home of the gods, underworlds Heroes: battle between generations for control of a throne Heroes: battle between generations for control of a throne Themes: love, revenge, greed, family Themes: love, revenge, greed, family

Diversity of Theories Anthropological – origins, customs Anthropological – origins, customs Allegorical – symbolic narrative Allegorical – symbolic narrative Philological – literary texts, written records Philological – literary texts, written records Solaristic – Operating Environment Solaristic – Operating Environment Rationalistic Reason Philosophy /Theology. Rationalistic Reason Philosophy /Theology. Psychoanalytical - theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious Psychoanalytical - theories concerning the relation of conscious and unconscious

CARL GUSTAV JUNG No science will ever replace myth, and a myth cannot be made out of any science. For it is not that “God” is a myth, but that myth is the revelation of a divine life in man. It is not we who invent myth, rather it speaks to us as a word of God. No science will ever replace myth, and a myth cannot be made out of any science. For it is not that “God” is a myth, but that myth is the revelation of a divine life in man. It is not we who invent myth, rather it speaks to us as a word of God.

CARL GUSTAV JUNG Myths go back to the primitive storyteller and his dreams, to men moved by the stirring of their fantasies. These people were not very different from those whom later generations called poets or philosophers. Myths go back to the primitive storyteller and his dreams, to men moved by the stirring of their fantasies. These people were not very different from those whom later generations called poets or philosophers.

Diversity of Theories - Influences Geography – Desert or Ice Climate – Cold or Arid Government – Female vs. Male creator Societal Aspects