Mythology

Why do we tell myths? What do myths try to accomplish? Explain the world around us Explain the unknown Entertain Preserve history Teach moral lessons

Archetypes What is an archetype? A literary model or pattern What are some mythological archetypes?

Global Myth Archetypes Flood Stories Creation stories Miraculous births First Man/Woman stories underworld Stories Hero/quest Punishment from god(s) Trickster stories

Flood Stories Christian Tradition: Noah and the Great Flood God commands Noah to build an Ark in advance of a flood sent by God as punishment. Mesopotamian Tradition: The Epic of Gilgamesh One of the “Great Gods,” Ea, commands Utnapishtim to build a boat to save living creatures from a flood caused by the gods. Hindu Tradition: Manu and the Great Flood Manu a man created by the gods to give life to all other humans Manu saves a small fish who then promises to save him from a great flood The fish instructs Manu to build a large boat to save himself and his animals and then grows very large and pulls Manu’s boat through the flood to calm waters.

Flood Stories Manu and the Great Flood The Epic of Gilgamesh Noah’s Ark

Trickster Stories Native American Tradition Coyote/Old Man Coyote English Folklore Robin Hood Norse Culture Loki West African (Akan) Mythology Ananse Greek Mythology Hermes

Trickster Stories Hermes Old Man Coyote Loki Ananse Robin Hood

Miraculous Births Christian Tradition Jesus Christ Virgin Birth Aztec Tradition Quetzlcoatl Virgin Birth Native American Tradition Kutoyis Born from a blood clot of a wounded buffalo Greek Mythology Hercules Fathered by a god (Zeus)

Miraculous Birth Stories Hercules Quetzlcoatl Jesus Christ

Quest Stories Greek Mythology Jason and the Golden Fleece Hercules Judeo-Christian Tradition Moses Leading the Israelites through the desert Native American Tradition Wunzh English Mythology Percival (one of King Arthur’s knights) and his quest for the Holy Grail (A quest archetype is one in which a Hero goes on a journey and oftentimes must overcome their own weaknesses and faults in order to succeed.)

Quest Stories Hercules Wunzh Percival Moses Jason

Greek myths – religious history 800 BC – 330 BC Peaked during the Classical period (c B.C.E.) No uniform faith Many different belief systems, many different temples, gods, goddesses Cults centered around worship of mythological figures – heroes, gods, etc. Religion was local and domestic Each village had its own cults and rituals Each family/home honored various deities

Greek myths - religious history Oral poetic tradition Bards – traveling singing storytellers Memorized and recited epic poems telling of Greek heroes, gods, and monsters Bards memorized millions of lines of poetry

Greek mythology Oral storytelling tradition The tradition predates Greek alphabet – stories not written down Most famous poems are __________________ Epic stories telling of battles and heroes

Greek mythology Mythologia Term coined by Plato (Greek philosopher) Myths have several purposes: to entertain to tell the stories of a multitude of gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters and mortals to teach lessons about right behavior - morality to explain the nature of the world ; fire, human suffering, sickness, the seasons, etc.

What central characters appear in Greek mythology? Central characters Gods Human-like personalities; arguing, interfere with human affairs, help their favorites Reside on Mount Olympus Heroes Can be gods, mortals or part god - part mortal Men of action, strength and power Warlike figures “Heroic ideal” – many Greeks modeled their lives on these heroes

Central characters (cont’d.) Monsters These characters usually present a challenge to the lesser gods or human characters The monsters sometimes work in cooperation with the gods, or as their servants Examples? Medusa, Cyclops, Minotaur

What archetypes appear? Quest archetype Type of story found in many cultural traditions Hero is sent on a mission, or goes looking for something, faces trials along the journey, is usually (but not always) successful Examples of quests:

Jason and the Golden Fleece Early written versions This is one of the oldest stories in Greek mythology, with its roots in the Bronze Age ( BCE) Apollonius – Author of first written version of the story, in poetic form, around 200 A.D. Other early written versions: Euripides – 5 th century A.D., tragic play centered on this quest tale Pindar – 5 th century A.D., lyric poem

Jason and the Golden Fleece Rooted in History Elements of the story appear to reflect actual history places and events: Jason travelled from Volos (most likely the ancient town of Iolkos) through the Bosphorus Canal and across the Black Sea What ancient city was located at the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles? What is the significance of Jason traveling past this important place?