Reflection and Gathering
It would not be too much to say that myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human cultural manifestation. Religions, philosophies, arts, the social forms of primitive and historic man, prime discoveries in science and technology, the very dreams that blister sleep, boil up from the basic, magic ring of myth…The latest incarnation of Oedipus, the continued romance of Beauty and the Beast, stand this afternoon on the corner of Forty-second Street and Fifth Avenue, waiting for the traffic light to change.
–Joseph Campbell
After reading your research thus far, respond to these questions as notes for your project.
USE SEPARATE PAPER
Why Study Myths?
Myths are windows into cultural attitudes, behaviors, values, and identities and thereby allow us to learn not just more about ancient cultures but also about ourselves as we too strive to find ways to express the truths of the human condition.
1. Why did you choose this particular mythology?
2. What are a few of the most interesting features of this mythology?
3. Does this mythology have a pantheon of gods? Explain
4. Are there creatures/monsters ? explain
5. Studying mythology is important because it tells you a lot about the culture that it came from. It gives you an indication of what that culture valued. What kind of hopes, fears and dreams were important to it. What can you tell us about this culture and its values?
6. Do you have an example of a story-myth? Summarize it and explain why it’s significant. In other words what does it say about the culture, their beliefs, fears, etc.
7. What is complex or difficult to understand about this mythology? Or is it fairly straight forward? Explain
8. Mythology often addresses the theme of good conquering evil. How is this theme addressed in the mythology itself or in the stories or both? Who or what represents good in these stories? Who or what represents evil?
9. Describe anything visual that comes out of this mythology. Are there statues?
Masks? Etc. what do they look like?
10. Make a comparison to Greek mythology. What do they share. What is significantly different.
11. What do you want to find more about and how might you search for it? (sites, etc.)