What Are Myths and Legends? Feature Menu Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Heroes and Quests Norse Myths Arthurian Legends Romance Literature Heroic Characters as Archetypes Your Turn

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Myths are traditional stories rooted in a particular culture. A myth . . . is basically religious in nature serves to explain beliefs, rituals, or natural phenomena reveals the ideals and values of a society

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends The ancient Greeks, for example, invented stories to help explain the mysteries of nature. A stormy sea meant the god of the ocean was angry. Gods and goddesses were both observers and participants in human lives.

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Folk tales are similar to myths, but they are about ordinary people—not gods and heroes. They are told to teach lessons . . . . . . and to entertain.

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Folk tales tend to travel from culture to culture. Researchers have found nine hundred versions of the Cinderella story told around the world. Many folk tales include extraordinary events—such as straw turning into gold.

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Legends are usually based on real historical people and events. Because legends have been told and retold orally, they often include exaggerated, larger-than-life elements.

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Quick Check extraordinary deeds explanation of natural phenomena scientific proofs gods and goddesses fantastic, supernatural elements confusion about values Which two elements do not appear in myths or legends? [End of Section]

Myths, Folk Tales, and Legends Quick Check extraordinary deeds explanation of natural phenomena scientific proofs gods and goddesses fantastic, supernatural elements confusion about values Which two elements do not appear in myths or legends?

Heroes and Quests In myths and legends, a hero or a heroine is extraordinary in several ways: In a myth, a hero is often descended from the gods. The hero faces a seemingly impossible task. He or she accepts the task with courage, ingenuity, and often superhuman strength.

Heroes and Quests Heroes often set out on a quest—a journey or a test to find or win something of great significance. In Greek mythology, the hero Theseus goes on a quest to slay the Minotaur, a monster devouring the youth of Athens. [End of Section]

Norse Myths Norse myths are traditional stories of the people of ancient Scandinavia and Germany. Norse mythology includes hero tales, called sagas. Sagas are part of the Norse oral storytelling tradition.

Norse Myths Scandinavia Germany 12

Norse Myths In one myth, the hero Sigurd, the most famous Norse hero, gets help in his quest from Odin, the principal Norse God. “I gave your father a sword,” said Odin as they watched the great creature breasting the flood. “Now I give you this horse. Ride out and win fame. . . . Heroes shall rise to greet you as the greatest one of them all.” From "The Dragon Slayer" and "Fafnir's End" from Legends of the North by Olivia E. Coolidge. Copyright 1951 by Olivia E. Coolidge. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company, www.hmco.com. [End of Section]

Arthurian Legend Arthurian legends are stories about King Arthur and the brave, powerful, and adventurous knights of the Round Table. The medieval hero King Arthur was considered a great fighter and defender of his land.

Arthurian Legend The Arthurian legends are probably based on a fifth or sixth-century Celtic chieftain who lived in Wales. This legendary king led his people to victory against invaders from Germany.

Arthurian Legend The Celts In the first millennium B.C., the Celtic people were the main culture inhabiting central and western Europe. Dominating the area, they passed on their customs and religion, as well as their language to other ethnic groups in the region. 16

Arthurian Legend Great Britain Europe Wales 17

Arthurian Legend The following excerpt describes Arthur’s first heroic task—pulling a sword out of a stone in which it had been lodged. “Why,” said Arthur, “do you kneel before me?” “My lord,” Sir Ector replied, “there is only one man living who can draw the sword from the stone, and he is the true-born king of Britain.” From “The Sword in the Stone” from Le Morte D’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, translated by Keith Baines. Translation copyright © 1962 by Keith Baines; copyright renewed © 1990 by Francesca Evans. Reproduced by permission of Dutton Signet, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., www.penguin.com.

Norse Myths and Arthurian Legend Quick Check Match each numbered item to its literary genre. a hero or heroine sagas the god Odin quests a famous round table knights an impossible task Norse myths Arthurian legends Probably both [End of Section]

Norse Myths and Arthurian Legend Quick Check Match each numbered item to its literary genre. a hero or heroine sagas the god Odin quests a famous round table knights an impossible task C A A Norse myths Arthurian legends Probably both C B B C

Romance Literature The legends of King Arthur are part of the larger genre of Romance literature. These legends developed in twelfth- century England and France and focus on the adventures of knights and other heroes. Romance vs. romance

Romance Literature Romance vs. romance The terms Romance (capitalized) and romance (lower case) have different meanings. A love story, one of several genres of entertainment reading, is often called a romance. A work of literature concerning tales and legends coming from the era of knights and the code of chivalry is called a Romance. 22

Romance Literature The medieval romance celebrates the ideals of chivalry—the code of behavior a knight followed. A knight was expected to be . . . brave honorable generous to his foes respectful of women protective of the weak

Romance Literature The stories of Romance literature are still enjoyed today. The literature often features elements of magic or enchantment. In “The Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake,” the hero commits to helping the king’s daughter. [End of Section]

Heroic Characters as Archetypes An archetype is a plot pattern, image, or character type that appears throughout literature. One example of an archetype is the hero who faces formidable enemies and physical challenges or goes on a quest.

Heroic Characters as Archetypes Archetypes often reflect universal characters and themes. You are probably familiar with a number of other archetypal characters: the loyal sidekick—as Panza is to Quixote . . . the tough guy with a heart of gold . . . the undervalued and overlooked sweet girl . . . 26

Heroic Characters as Archetypes As you read, use a graphic organizer like the one below to track archetypal qualities. Quest Outcome of quest Conflict Hero/Heroine Divine intervention Superhuman qualities

Romance Literature and Heroic Characters as Archetypes Quick Check 1. What other traits were included in the code of chivalry? 1.Knights in the medieval era pledged to be honorable and to protect the weak. 2. One archetypal pattern is the plot type in which a hero goes on a quest. 2. What kind of help is a hero likely to have during the quest? [End of Section]

Romance Literature and Heroic Characters as Archetypes Quick Check 1. What other traits were included in the code of chivalry? 1.Knights in the medieval era pledged to be honorable and to protect the weak. to be brave to be respectful of women to be generous to foes

Romance Literature and Heroic Characters as Archetypes Quick Check 2. One archetypal pattern is the plot type in which a hero goes on a quest. 2. What kind of help is a hero likely to have during the quest? A god or goddess might help—divine intervention. A magical object or being might help.

Analyze Myths and Legends Your Turn Think of a hero or heroine from literature or film and apply your knowledge of the archetypal hero. Use the following questions as a guide: Does the hero show unusual promise as a child? What is the hero’s or heroine’s quest? What heroic qualities does the character possess to overcome the challenge(s)? What conflicts does the hero overcome? What is the outcome of the test? [End of Section]

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