Introduction to Mythology

What is a MYTH? Traditional stories involving supernatural beings or events that were passed down orally between generations. While a myth may seem similar to a fairy tale, a myth has profound meaning so it is not just a trivial tale.

Why were MYTHS created? Myths were created to orally explain the natural wonders of the world before science could provide answers. Myths attempt to explain complex topics such as: Agriculture Seasons Hunting Fertility Death

Myths were passed on orally throughout the generations.... What are the problems associated with oral traditions? *Describe the pros and cons*

Types of MYTHS There are many types of myths, not just Greek and Roman. Many cultures have created their own mythological tales to explain their history, origins, heroes etc. For example: China Africa Ireland North America Australia Japan And many more...

What is the difference between Greek and Roman MYTHS? Greek mythology was created before Roman, therefore many Roman gods have been borrowed from the Greek myths. Both Greek and Roman myths feature similar gods and goddesses, they simply have different names. For example: The Greek god named ‘Zeus’ is called ‘Jupiter’ in Roman mythology.

Why is it important to study MYTHS? Mythology is constantly referred to in today’s society (allusions), or used as symbolism. Primarily through: Language Pop Culture Advertising

Mythological Language References “Museum”- originates from the Greek term “mouseion” meaning “seat of the muses” In mythology the ‘muses’ are Zeus’ 9 daughters “Janitor”- originates from the Roman term “janus” meaning “god of gates, doors and passages”

Mythology in Popular Culture Apollo 13- 1995 space movie Name refers to the Greek god of the sun. The Little Mermaid- “King Triton” is an indirect reference to the Greek god “Triton”, Poseidon’s son, the first merman. Harry Potter- “Minerva”, head of Gryffindor (the boys’ dormitory), is based off the Roman god of wisdom.

Mythology in Advertising This will be one of the main areas of focus for this unit! Can you think of any existing products that are branded with mythological allusions? There are many! Check out this example…

Example 1 Here is a hint, can you guess the company? 1971- This image depicts a siren, from Greek mythology, that is half bird and half woman figure who appears almost as a double finned mermaid. The three well known sirens were those who lured/ seduced nearby sailors to destruction through their attractive singing. This logo is chosen because the companies roots are based in Seattle, which is located on the coast with many seaports. In addition, this company sells goods that are dispersed world wide via the sea, hence the nautical themed image.

Example 1 Still can’t guess? 1985-86 Another company opens with this image as it’s logo, selling the same goods as the previous company. This logo is the head of Mercury, a Roman god known for his speed as a messenger. 1987 The owner of this company, Howard Schultz, buys the previous company. He creates a new logo that looks like this:

Example 1 Now can you tell? Charles Schultz merged the original Greek siren with the Roman Mercury border to create the modern Starbucks logo. This is just one example of mythological allusions used in marketing. http://logoblink.com/starbucks-logo-mania/

While studying mythology... We will be focusing on: Creation Myths from various cultures The Monomyth (The hero’s journey) Character archetypes Symbolism Advertising and marketing strategies Product branding Evaluating existing ads and creating new ads