Myths and Folktales English I Mrs. Poggioli

Background I. Myths and folktales are the world’s oldest stories, which are passed on from generation to generation through the oral tradition. Orpheus’ Descent into the Underworld

Background of a Myth Ancient myths are stories explaining the origin of life and death. These stories often have a religious purpose-they attempt to explain mysteries that people regard as sacred: A. How the world was created, B. Why people must eventually die, C. Why the world is imperfect.

Background of Folktales Folktales are stories told by common people and were passed on orally from generation to generation. Folktales are told mainly to entertain and teach moral values. Folktales do not focus on religious purposes.

What is a Myth? A myth is an anonymous, traditional story that explains a belief, a custom, or a mysterious natural phenomenon. The origin of the word “myth” is the Greek word, “muthos,” or story. Myths were created out of a human need to make sense of the universe and help explain understand the meaning of life. Theseus and the Minatour

Functions of Myths 1. To explain the creation of the world and the universe Bronze of Oceanus 1st - 2nd centuries A.D.

Functions of Myths 2. To explain the human condition: -who and why people were created, -why they are flawed, -why there is suffering in the world, -why people must eventually die, and –what happens to people after death. Carving of Egyptian Boat Used to Ferry the Dead to the Underworld

Functions of a Myth 3. To explain natural phenomenon, such as the setting of the sun and phases of the moon. Grecian Urn Depicting the Passage of the Sun

Functions of a Myth 4. To explain the nature of ancient gods and goddesses and how these deities interact with human beings. Egyptian Goddess Isis

Functions of a Myth 5. To explain the meanings behind ancient religious rituals, customs, and beliefs. Ancient Japanese Warriors

6. To explain historical facts or historical events. Functions of a Myth 6. To explain historical facts or historical events. Egyptian Mummy of a Ruler

Functions of a Myth 7. To teach moral lessons Clay Doll from Bali

Differences between myths and folktales A folktale is a story that is created by common people and passed along orally from generation to generation. Folktales include legends, fables, tall tales, fairy tales, and ghost stories. Folktales are entertaining stories about ordinary people, who survive by luck, by using their wits, and by relying on their own natural goodness.

How Folktales Differ from Myths: 1. Folktales, unlike myths, are secular, meaning without a religious focus. 2. Folktales were created as much for entertainment value, as for the teaching of social or moral values. 3. Folktales feature magic transformations and enchantments, just as myths do. 4. Although folktales may sometimes include gods or goddesses as characters, they are usually not central actors in the story.

How Folktales Differ from Myths continued…. 5. Heroes in folktales tend to be common, everyday people who do not have special powers. 6. This is different than heroes of myths, who are the superhuman offspring of a gods or goddesses and a human parent. 7. Folktales are not associated with religious rituals like myths often are.

Role of Gods and Goddesses in Origin Myths Gods and goddesses are usually always associated with origin myths. Gods often form family groups, or pantheon, which are ruled by a father god, a mother goddess, and other family members. The gods/goddesses are often associated with other aspects of life, such as fertility, love wisdom, and justice. The gods/goddesses may represent concrete forces of nature, such as the wind, the sea, the moon, and earthquakes.

Origin Myths Stories about beginnings- Probably the first stories told by human beings were origin myths, which explained how things came to be. Most cultures have origin myths that explain how the universe was created, why people die, if there is life after death, and why evil exists in the world. Many cultures have stories about a “Golden Age” when there was all peace and happiness in the world, but which was lost when evil, sickness, and death came into the world.

Flood Myths In addition to origin myths, flood myths are found in almost all cultures. The story is about people who have been tempted by evil and are punished by an angry god. In order to punish humans for the evil they have done, the god destroys all inhabitants in the world (flood)except for a chosen man and his family.

Central character in these stories…. Almost every culture has a story that explains origin of life/death. In many stories, death comes into the world through the actions of a trickster. Tricksters are ambivalent figures who upset the world order and leave trouble and chaos behind them. Tricksters are not necessarily evil. They often times reveal positive traits and their actions serve to teach a lesson.

Finally, Why should I care about myths??? When you read a story you see the relevance to something in your own life. These stories give you a perspective which compares life today to ancient people. Ancient information gives us a mirror into modern life as well….universal themes!!!