Introduction to Mythology
I. Myth
A. Definition – Myths are ancient stories that have their roots in the sacred beliefs, or cosmology, of groups of people long ago.
B. Setting – The setting is in the remote past, in a period before historical time.
C. Main Characters – Gods, goddesses, and heroes or humans with extraordinary powers.
D. Myths represent the way in which a culture:
i. Explained the origin of the world
ii. Explained how people and animals came into existence
iii. Explained how important customs were established and preserved
iv. Attempted to explain all natural phenomena
E. Originated before the advent of modern science. Major purpose: to explain.
F. Form of early philosophy, history, and science.
i. Relationship between humans and the divine world was very important.
ii. Each member of a culture considers his/her myths to be factual and true.
iii. Myths are used as a guide for the lives of those in a culture and for prediction of the future.
G. Summary: 5 main characteristics
i. Ancient stories, so time is placeless. Place is unrecognizable.
ii. Include a god/goddess or a human with extraordinary powers.
iii. Used to explain, as they existed before the advent of science.
iv. Considered to be true or factual.
v. Used as a guide for living or to predict the future.
II. Folk lore
A. Definition – A story that is pure fiction and has no particular location in either time or space.
B. Main characteristic – Long and continuing life.
C. Traditional – handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. All cultures have folk lore.
D. Main characters – People or animals who speak and act like people.
E. Focus – Focus is on the plot of the story rather than the narrative of the characters.
F. Major artistic device
i. Use of opposites
ii. Good vs. evil, beauty vs. ugliness, industrious vs. lazy
G. Usually our earliest stories: bedtime stories.
H. History
i. Western cultures began to accept folk tales after Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their folk tales in 1812 and in 1835 with Hans Christian Anderson’s tales.
ii. Example of Grimm folk lore would be “Hansel & Gretel”.
iii. Example of Hans Christian Anderson’s work would be “The Little Mermaid”.
I. Summary: 5 characteristics
i. Characters are people or animals with human characteristics or emotions.
ii. Everyday places and time, but may not be one in particular.
iii. Focus is on the plot of the story, not what the characters say in particular.
iv. Pure fiction – not told to be believed but to learn from what has happened.
v. Handed down from generation to generation, at first only orally. Usually, the author is unknown.
III. Legend
A. Definition – Stories about subjects that are or were believed to have been historical.
B. Concern people, places, and events.
i. Subjects were usually a saint, a king, a hero, a famous person.
ii. Subjects also could have been a war.
C. Associated with a particular time in history and in a place that seems recognizable.
D. Uses
i. Explanatory stories, but usually used to entertain with a narrative supposedly based upon fact.
ii. Truths – Legends are told as being true.
iii. Address some of the same questions as myths, but legends are based upon a more personal perspective.
E. Characters
i. Usually respond to the problem in order to please themselves and their society.
ii. Primary goal is to achieve fame and recognition.
F. Summary: 5 characteristics
i. Famous person or something recognizable.
ii. Particular time in history; place is recognizable.
iii. Used to explain or entertain.
iv. Considered to be true.
v. More on a personal level. The main character is responding to a problem and receives fame, fortune, or community recognition for overcoming an obstacle.