Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lectures 5-7 MYTHIC THEMES Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lectures 5-7

Concepts common to mythology Mythic Theme? Mythic—referring to mythology Theme—a broad of common idea or concept Concepts common to mythology

The Themes 1. Creation Accounts 2. Heroes and The Heroic Journey 3. Gods and Goddess 4. Good and Evil 5. Trickster 6. Nature/ Animals…etc 7. Fantastic Beasts

Creation Accounts

Creation Accounts Stories used by a group of people to explain the origins of life. Difficulty lies in determining “how literally” these were meant to be taken. (handout)

Common Elements of Creation Accounts Creator(s) Persons Powers Created World Inhabitants VIEW EXAMPLE: ABORIGINAL

Heroes

Quick Vocab Culture- The characteristic features of everyday existence (the way of life) shared by people in a place or time (or participants in a common lifestyle). Ideal- A standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence.

Heroes They are everywhere…because everyone loves them We love them because… A hero is a figure (person) of great importance (possibly national or even cosmic) and the "ideal” man or woman of a culture.

They are of great importance- Stories will grab our attention They are on an “grand scale”

They are the ideal man or woman or a culture- They encompass ideals Standards of perfection They spur to action These are examples by which we live

The Heroic Journey

Heroic Journey Stage 1: Ordinary World Stage 2: Call to Adventure Stage 3: Refusal of Call Stage 4: Meeting with the Mentor Stage 5: Crossing the Threshold Stage 6: Tests, Allies, Enemies Stage 7: Approach the Inmost Cave Stage 8: The Ordeal Stage 9: Seizing the Reward Stage 10: The Road Back Stage 11: Resurrection Stage 12: Return with the Elixir

ORDINARY WORLD The Beginning Creates contrast with the bulk of the story

CALL TO ADVENTURE The hero is presented with a problem, challenge or adventure.

REFUSAL OF THE CALL Does not want to accept the call Fear, Doubt… Indecision Usually ends with either, Meeting the Mentor (next step), or a situation that leaves the hero with no other choice

MEETING WITH THE MENTOR The hero is encouraged by the Wise Old Man or Woman Walks with hero into adventure… but can only go so far

CROSSING THE THRESHOLD The hero fully enters the special world of the story for the first time Adventure Starts No turning back

TESTS, ALLIES, ENEMIES The hero is forced to make allies and enemies in the special world, and to pass certain tests and challenges that are part of his/her training.

APPROACH TO THE INMOST CAVE The hero comes at last to a dangerous place, often deep underground, where the object of the quest is hidden Often this also involves a trip to the underworld

ORDEAL This is the moment at which the hero touches bottom Hero faces death The pinnacle of the journey Often a huge battle/fight scene In romantic comedies this is “the break-up scene”

SEIZING THE SWORD/REWARD Hero takes possession of whatever they were seeking Object Information Achievement Girl…

THE ROAD BACK Now the hero must return home with their treasure Usually not an easy journey! Treasure could be recaptured Hero may have to choose between rewards (the cause or the heart…ect)

RESURRECTION Hero returns to ordinary world changed Usually some mock death and resurrection (or real) Very similar to the Ordeal Hero Quickly Overcomes Using learned skills

RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR Comes back with the treasure!

Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses Beings of great power and influence Often the deities present in much mythology They vary greatly from culture to culture Humanlike (Greek—difficult to distinguish from other mythological characters.) Very non-human

Good and Evil

Good and Evil Central to life… thus central to mythology These questions divide mythological thoughts on the concept: What distinguishes good from evil? Where do they originate from? What powers do each possess? Are they equals fighting an eternal battle with small victories awarded to each side? Or… is one ultimately stronger than the other, only allowing time to pass before destroying its opponent once and for all?

Tricksters

Tricksters Those who cause trouble Often crude or profane Sometimes portrayed as primary creators This is often used as an explanation for the world’s problems Most of their stories are comical They are always within a sacred context (dealing with or being primary gods/goddesses)

Nature and Animals

Nature and Animals One of the possible mythic functions—Natural Phenomena Culture is fasinated with context

Fantastic Beasts

Fantastic Beasts Any animal/beast that does not actually exist They add flavor to mythologies, but are not necessary for a tale to be considered mythic Many, in fact, do not include them

The Themes and the Book Analysis Creation Account (or any origins account that explains how something "came to be") Heroes/ Heroic Journeys (Nearly every story will have some elements of this journey. Just follow the actions of the main character.) Gods and Goddesses (This could manifest itself in any strong or powerful being/character that others are subjected to.) Good and Evil (Also found in nearly all stories. "good guys/bad guys") Trickster(s) (Any character that deliberately sets out to "trick", embarass, harass, or harm another character.) Nature and Animals (Any reference to nature and animals as central themes or characters) Fantastic Beasts (Reference to any creature that does not actually exist.)

Works Cited Erdoes, Richard, and Alfonso Ortiz, eds. American Indian Trickster Tales. New York: Penguin, 1998. Hyde, Lewis. Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth, and Art. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998. Leeming, David Adams. The World of Myth: An Anthology. New York: Oxford UP, 1990. Leeming, David Adams and Jake Page. God: Myths of the Male Divine. New York: Oxford UP, 1996. Radin, Paul. The Trickster: A Study in American Indian Mythology. 2nd ed. New York: Schocken, 1972. "Hero's Journey." Storytech Literary Consulting. n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2011. Bergman, Jerry. "The Origin of Creation Myths." Www.creationism.org. n.d. Web. 22 Aug. 2011.