DEFINE MYTHOLOGY Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lectures 1-4

History and Development Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lecture 1

What is Mythology? Myths are not just made up stories or lies. Myths are not just made up stories or lies. They were believed to be true at sometime. They were believed to be true at sometime.

How do they often function? Cosmic Phenomenon -- Explaining the sun, moon, stars, comets, storms, clouds, etc. Explanations of Natural History -- Explaining the behavior of plants, seasons, nature, animals, etc. Origins of Human Civilization -- Where do we come from? Why do we arrange ourselves in families, tribes, towns, cities, etc. Origins of Social and Religious Customs -- Explaining the need for cultural traditions, rites of passage, and rules for the relationship between men and gods.(Skinner)

How do they often function? Morality and Behavior Tales -- Stories that define acceptable behavior within a given group, or which warn of the dangers of straying from group behavior. Hero Tales -- Tales which present us with characters after which we are to strive to pattern our lives, or tales that meet the need in all of us to find something greater than ourselves. (Skinner)

Where do they come from? Often have roots in oral cultures Often have roots in oral cultures Always considered “traditional tales” Always considered “traditional tales”

William Burkert Myth is a traditional tale with secondary, partial reference to something of collective importance. Myth is a traditional tale with secondary, partial reference to something of collective importance. – Primary Function: Cultural Tale – Secondary Function: Religious concepts, natural events, psychological archetypes, historical, political, or legendary events….ect.

Culture and Mythology Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lecture 2

Vocab to Know Belief - conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of [something] Custom - a : a usage or practice common to many or to a particular place or class or habitual with an individual b : long- established practice considered as unwritten law c : repeated practice d : the whole body of usages, practices, or conventions that regulate social life Value - something (as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable

What is Culture? a share set of beliefs, values, and customs shared among a select group of people. a share set of beliefs, values, and customs shared among a select group of people. Can be on a large or small scale Can be on a large or small scale – American Culture VS Upchurch Family Culture

Why is this relevant to Mythology? Considered to be truth in the society/culture in which it is told. Considered to be truth in the society/culture in which it is told.

Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lecture 3 Bulfinch’s Ways of Interpreting Myths

The Scriptural Theory All myths have their original sources in the Bible.

The Historical Theory The people in myths are real, but the facts have been skewed with time

The Allegorical Theory All the stories where meant to be taken figuratively, but somewhere along the line were accepted as truth— deviating from the original intent of their creators.

The Astronomical Theory Elaborations of celestial interpretations (stories about the stars, moon, sun, planets…etc)

The Physical Theory Deities are simply personifications of nature

Conclusion Some have obvious problems – Astronomical- not all myths are related to astronomy – Physical- not all myths are concerned with natural phenomenon How we interpret the myths, though of vast personal importance, should not impact this course’s interpretation and instruction of mythology.

Definition by Contrast Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lecture 4

Opening Assignment Define the following terms and determine how each is different from mythology. 1. Mythology vs Legend 2. Mythology vs Folktale/Folklore 3. Mythology vs Fiction 4. Mythology vs History 5. Mythology vs Religion

Myths are prose narratives which, in the society [or culture] in which they are told, are considered to be truthful accounts of what happened [often] in the remote past. Myths are considered true sacred stories that occurred in the remote past and have non-humans (gods, monsters) as the principal characters.

Legends are prose narratives which, like myths, [can be] regarded as true by the narrator and his audience, [though this is not always the case] but they are set in a period considerably less remote, when the world was much as it is today. Legends are considered [to have some truth]. [They are] primarily about human heroes, occur in the recent past, and may feature some religious references.(i.e. King Arthur, Robin Hood...ect.) Note: Some legends, like that of King Arthur, are taught alongside myths, as well.

Folktales [Folklores] are prose narratives which are regarded as fiction [not true]. Futhermore, folktales are non- sacred fictional stories that occur "once upon a time" and feature both human and non-human characters (i.e. Little Red Riding Hood, Paul Bunyan...ect.)

Fiction is not considered true. Though fiction may be based upon "true events" or real places/times, the actual stories themselves are largely fabricated (and known to be so).

History according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary, is "a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes." Though we can recount history in narrative form, it is not primarily narrative--unlike mythology

Religion in its most general meaning, is a set of beliefs and practices often associated with the worship of some deity(ies). Active religions are studied and practiced, whereas most mythologies are simply studied.

Works Cited "Belief." Def. 3. Merriam-Webster. Merriam- Webster, Incorporated, Web. 7 Aug "Custom." Def. 1a,b,c,d. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Web. 7 Aug "Value." Def. 7. Merriam-Webster. Merriam- Webster, Incorporated, Web. 7 Aug

Works Cited Doyle, Bernard. "Mythology." Encyclopedia Mythica: Mythology, Folklore, and Religion. MMIX Encyclopedia Mythica, 17 Apr Web. 31 July Skinner, Terry. "Introduction to Mythology." Mythic Silver. Bismarck R-V High Schoool, 06 May Web. 30 July Webster, William. "Frequently Asked Questions about Mythology." ENG 204 B World Mythology. Grand Valley State University, Dec Web. 30 July 2011.

Works Cited Bulfinch, Thomas. "Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable." Project Gutenberg. July Web. 08 Aug Bascom, William. "The Forms of Folklore: Prose Narratives" Journal of American Folklore 78 (1965): Reprinted in Alan Dundes, ed. Sacred Narrative. Berkeley: U of California P, "History." Def. 2a. Merriam-Webster. Merriam- Webster, Incorporated, Web. 7 Aug Webster, Michael. "Myth FAQs." ENG 204 B World Mythology. Grand Valley State University, Winter Web. 7 Aug