Ms. Teter English 1 Mythology

Universal Themes Oral Tradition – The passing of stories, poems, and sayings by word of mouth. Love, ambition, and friendship Expressed human concerns in stories Explored Universal Themes Insights into life that are true across different times and cultures -Written lit grew out of oral tradition - Around campfires/other gatherings, ppl told tales about… Image from http://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/faith-check-9-the-place-of-the-bible-in-the-church-2-2/

Common Universal Themes The importance of heroism Strength of loyalty Power of love Dangers of greed Storytellers explored such themes through the use of archetypes Review: What’s an archetype? Archetype – a plot, character, image, or setting that recurs in literature from around the world and throughout history

Culture The culture that created the story is also an important factor in oral tradition Historical and cultural setting, or context, - the beliefs, traditions, and customs that reflect that timeframe and location where the tale was created Context can influence many aspects of a story Figurative language  Review: Examples??? Presentation of Archetypes Simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism, hyperbole (onomatopoeia and alliteration-sound devices)

Forms Various forms to express universal themes and archetypes Only in memory and probably varied with every telling Traditional Literature developed later as stories were written down These narrative forms express the values, ideals, and behaviors cherished by society These ideals of a society or culture are embodied in that culture’s classical lit

Narrative Forms Myths – explain actions of gods and the humans who interact with them. Also, the causes of natural phenomena Folk tales – focus on human or animal heroes; not concerned with gods or creation

Arts and Literature Legends – folk tales that recount the adventures of a human hero; usually based on historical truth Exaggerated = Tall tale Epics – long narrative poems that describe the exploits of larger-than-life heroes Usually a dangerous journey or quest important to history of a group/culture What are some synonyms of exploit? Adventure, feats, deeds

Why should you care? Learn lessons and serve as warnings They have contributed to modern literature in ways such as symbolism Commonalities between Greek mythology and Religious beliefs Creation of the World Separation of man and God Great Flood, etc.

Quick Write Who is your hero?

Epic and Epic Heroes Review: What is an Epic? **Hint: Three slides ago** Images from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjo5vj7vZHTAhVI74MKHV3ZByAQjhwIBQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcaptainandthebucket.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F09%2F27%2Fepic-and-the-destruction-of-the-english-language-2%2F&bvm=bv.152174688,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNFDDyQli3x-qx6Jvv2cjo96jYKn5w&ust=1491624887477110 https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj40svEvpHTAhWqy4MKHXGkDREQjhwIBQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fqwiklit.com%2F2013%2F09%2F10%2Fthe-20-greatest-epic-poems-of-all-time%2F&bvm=bv.152174688,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNFDDyQli3x-qx6Jvv2cjo96jYKn5w&ust=1491624887477110

Epic Cont. Originally Sung, often on a harp Contain information about the culture that created them *Religion *Dress *homes *weapons & war *Gender roles *values & moral standards Contain clues on what the creators feared or did not understand: *natural disasters *death *heaven *storms, etc.

What do they have in common?

Traits of an Epic Hero “Larger-than-life” qualities, possibly supernatural powers.

Traits of an Epic Hero Is a natural leader of men

Traits of an Epic Hero Is appealing to the opposite sex, but rarely has an extended relationship

Traits of an Epic Hero Defeats monsters (bad guys) and/or fights gods

Traits of an Epic Hero Has “good” on their side **Ares, the God of War, rode alongside the Trojans aiding them in war**

Traits of an Epic Hero Often stands alone in battle Beowulf fights big battles alone

Traits of an Epic Hero Smarter than everyone else; problem solver Odysseus tricks the Trojan’s by hiding in “gift horse” and surprising them.

Traits of an Epic Hero Has a weakness that often destroys them or leads to death Achilles was shot and killed in his vulnerable heel that was not dipped in the river Styx

Traits of an Epic Hero Long journeys, always on the move, travels to find adventure Indiana Jones travels the globe in search of artifacts and adventures

Traits of an Epic Hero Lastly, A skilled fighter