The Stories of Our Lives: Myths and Folk Literature

World Myths and Folktales Myths and folktales are the world’s oldest stories. Myths and folktales are the world’s oldest stories. They are a part of the oral tradition. They are a part of the oral tradition. The stories are important because they help us understand human experience. The stories are important because they help us understand human experience. Joseph Campbell states that myths and folktales are “truer” than history. Joseph Campbell states that myths and folktales are “truer” than history.

What are Myths? From the Greek “muthos,” meaning “story” From the Greek “muthos,” meaning “story” Traditional story Traditional story Explains aspects of life and/or the natural world Explains aspects of life and/or the natural world Reflects religious beliefs Reflects religious beliefs Involves gods and/or goddesses Involves gods and/or goddesses

What are the Purposes of Myths? Explain the creation of the world/universe (creation myths) Explain the creation of the world/universe (creation myths) “The Beginning of Things” “The Beginning of Things” “The Creation of Man” “The Creation of Man” “How the World Was Made” “How the World Was Made” “The Wooden People” “The Wooden People” Explain the human condition: Explain the human condition: How and why we were created How and why we were created Why we are flawed Why we are flawed Why we suffer Why we suffer Why we die Why we die What happens after death What happens after death

What are the Purposes of Myths? Cont. Explain natural phenomena (origin myths) Explain natural phenomena (origin myths) Origin myths show a rudimentary understanding of natural phenomena (like saying thunder is the sound of God bowling) Origin myths show a rudimentary understanding of natural phenomena (like saying thunder is the sound of God bowling) Sirens/Lorelei – explained sailors who would get lulled into a hypnotic state (“highway hum”) and end up crashing into rocks/islands Sirens/Lorelei – explained sailors who would get lulled into a hypnotic state (“highway hum”) and end up crashing into rocks/islands Charybdis – explained whirlpools Charybdis – explained whirlpools Echo – explained echoes ( Echo – explained echoes ( Explain the nature of the gods and goddesses and their interactions with humans Explain the nature of the gods and goddesses and their interactions with humans Explain the meanings behind religious rituals, customs, beliefs, etc. Explain the meanings behind religious rituals, customs, beliefs, etc. Immersion baptism Immersion baptism Explain historical events Explain historical events Teach moral lessons Teach moral lessons

What are Folktales? Stories passed from one generation to the next Stories passed from one generation to the next Passed through oral tradition Passed through oral tradition Reflect the values of a given society Reflect the values of a given society Can be for entertainment and/or moral purposes Can be for entertainment and/or moral purposes

What are the Types of Folktales? Legends Legends Stories of extraordinary deeds Stories of extraordinary deeds Based in historical fact Based in historical fact Fairy Tales Fairy Tales Folktales containing supernatural elements Folktales containing supernatural elements Fables Fables Brief story Brief story Uses animals and/or inanimate objects Uses animals and/or inanimate objects Teaches a moral/lesson Teaches a moral/lesson Tall Tales Tall Tales Often centers on the storyteller Often centers on the storyteller Exaggerated events Exaggerated events Ghost Stories Ghost Stories Involves ghosts and/or the belief in ghosts Involves ghosts and/or the belief in ghosts

How do Myths and Folktales Differ? Myths Religious Religious Always have a moral/lesson Always have a moral/lesson Gods and goddesses are central characters Gods and goddesses are central characters Involves above average characters Involves above average characters Associated with religious rituals Associated with religious rituals Folktales Secular/non-religious Can be purely for entertainment Gods and goddesses are not central characters Involves common “folk” Not associated with religious rituals

The Main Characters Mythical ( ex: Hercules) Mythical ( ex: Hercules) Remarkable birth/childhood Remarkable birth/childhood Offspring of a god/goddess and a human (possess both mortal and immortal qualities) Offspring of a god/goddess and a human (possess both mortal and immortal qualities) Unaware of origins/raised by foster parents Unaware of origins/raised by foster parents Born under unusual circumstances Born under unusual circumstances Shows signs of being special Shows signs of being special Legendary (ex: King Arthur) Legendary (ex: King Arthur) Idealized figure Idealized figure Based in fact Based in fact Embodies qualities admired by the culture Embodies qualities admired by the culture Folktale (ex: Paul Revere, Joan of Arc) Folktale (ex: Paul Revere, Joan of Arc) Ordinary person (possibly a step-child/neglected youngest child scoffed at by parents and/or older siblings) Ordinary person (possibly a step-child/neglected youngest child scoffed at by parents and/or older siblings) May be out of the ordinary (exceptionally kind, clever resourceful, etc.) May be out of the ordinary (exceptionally kind, clever resourceful, etc.)

What are Archetypes? Pattern or model Pattern or model Basis for different, but related, versions of characters, plots, themes, etc. Basis for different, but related, versions of characters, plots, themes, etc. Can be referred to as stereotypes Can be referred to as stereotypes Three main categories Three main categories Situational Situational Symbolic Symbolic Character Character

Archetype Examples Take a look at your Archetype Archery list. Take a look at your Archetype Archery list. With your group, review the list and complete the following columns: What does it mean/represent? and Where have I seen it before? With your group, review the list and complete the following columns: What does it mean/represent? and Where have I seen it before? Please remember that as we discuss them, you may need to change your definition. Please remember that as we discuss them, you may need to change your definition.

What is the Quest? One of the most common situational archetypes One of the most common situational archetypes A journey for something of value A journey for something of value The main plot of the story The main plot of the story Involves 5 stages Involves 5 stages Introducing… Joseph Campbell’s 5 Stages of the Hero’s Journey

 Impulse to embark on the journey  Encounters a “helper”  Sometimes receives a magical charm to aid the journey  Pass from the safety of the known world to the dangerous unknown  “Shadow presence” guards the entrance  Only enters unknown by defeating the presence or confronting death  Ends in hero’s transformation and/or resurrection  Series of difficult tasks  Climaxes with the “Supreme Test”  Must pass the “Supreme Test” to progress #1: Call to Adventure #2: Crossing the Threshold #3: Test

 Hero receives a reward  Rewards can be marriage, recognition by a deity, transformation into a deity, or gets a magic elixir  Hero leaves the dangerous unknown  Brings his reward back to the known world  Reward brings restoration to the known world #4: Reward #5: Return