1. Legends, Myths, and Folktales The role models, beliefs and values of a culture are often preserved in their legends and myths.

2. Legends Legends are traditional stories handed down from generation to generation. Legends are usually based on actual events that have been exaggerated over time. Many legends describe the deeds of kings and noble heroes Ex.: The legends of King Arthur

3. King Arthur

4. Myths A myth is an ancient story whose author is unknown or anonymous. Myths tell of gods and goddesses, their interventions in the lives of heroes, and supernatural events. Many myths attempt to account for a belief, a custom, or a force of nature. Example: The story of Hercules

5. Hercules

6. Folktales Often, these types of stories tell the tales of ordinary people who have done extraordinary deeds or have experienced something incredible.

7. Folktales

8. Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, and John Henry

9. Quick Trick Legend: ancient stories with elements of history and fantasy Myths: stories of gods/goddesses, heroes, and supernatural interventions Folktales: stories of common people

10. Oral Tradition Legends, myths, and folktales all derive from oral tradition. That means that long before these stories were ever written down, they were told and retold and passed down from one generation to the next.

11. Archetypes Archetypes are images, characters, plot patterns, and themes that are common to human experiences and recur across time and place. Most stories from oral tradition include archetypes.

12. Character Archetypes Common Characters Damsel in distress Star-crossed lovers Trickster Shrew Unlikely hero/underdog Villain Hero Nagging wife Scapegoat Outcast Mother figure Fool Mentor Wise old man

13. Image Archetypes Images that reoccur and have a common meaning –Mythical creatures –Sun, Water –Colors (black is evil, white is pure, etc.) –Shapes, Numbers, & Other objects –Enchanted/magical objects or places (crystal balls, enchanted castles, magic wands, etc.)

14. Plot Archetypes Common Plot Patterns Hero’s quest The Task Journey to another land The loss of innocence The initiation Rescue/recovery of lost items Great battles Struggles between good and evil Boy meets girl Sin and redemption Rags to riches

15. Examples of Archetypes Character: a familiar individual (the trickster or a damsel in distress) Image: an object or place that has universal symbolism (a cup often represents one’s lot in life) Plot pattern: basic familiar storylines that recur across time and place (the hero’s quest) Theme: universal ideas (good can overcome evil)

16. Gimme an example… Mr. Owl from Winnie the Pooh is an example of an archetype character (the wise old man). In essence, his character is not that different from Splinter in TMNT or Yoda from Star Wars. Your turn - Give me a modern example of 1. The villain 2. The underdog 3. The hero

17. Why is this genre important? Legends, myths, and folktales are important because they are the backbone of written literature. Books would never have been produced if stories did not exist to be told. Even today in 2015, authors, songwriters, playwrights and screenwriters rely on the archetypes developed centuries ago to engage audiences in their stories.