Intro to Greek Mythology The Elements and Purposes of Myth

Myth Defined Greek Mythos=“discourse” or “speech” Greek Mythos=“discourse” or “speech” Dictionary: A traditional story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that informs or shapes the world view of a people, by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the customs or ideals of society. Dictionary: A traditional story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that informs or shapes the world view of a people, by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the customs or ideals of society.

Elements of Greek Myth Interaction between gods and humans Interaction between gods and humans Gods as hypertrophied humans Gods as hypertrophied humans Gods as flawed beings Gods as flawed beings Supernatural beings and monsters Supernatural beings and monsters Larger than life, godly “superheroes” Larger than life, godly “superheroes”

Myths Explain Natural Occurrences Examples? Examples? Gaea and Ouranos Gaea and Ouranos Thunder and lightning (Zeus) Thunder and lightning (Zeus) Earthquakes (Poseidon) Earthquakes (Poseidon) Seasons (Persephone & Demeter) Seasons (Persephone & Demeter) The sun rises (Greece: Helios’ chariot, Egypt: Ra and Semektet) The sun rises (Greece: Helios’ chariot, Egypt: Ra and Semektet)

Myths Explain Fundamental Philosophical Questions Early Greeks as proto philosophers Early Greeks as proto philosophers Attempting to answer fundamental questions Attempting to answer fundamental questions Where did we come from? Where did we come from? Who created the universe? Who created the universe? Is there life after death? Is there life after death? To explain is to control To explain is to control Comfort in knowing Comfort in knowing

Myths Explain Culture and Institutions Why women Why women couldn’t vote To explain is to control To explain is to control  Athena and Poseidon both want to rule and protect Athens  Gift contest  Poseidon=saltwater well (useless)  Athena=olive tree (olive, wood, oil)  Men vote for Poseidon, women for Athena  Athena wins  Poseidon flood the Attic plain  Athenians blame the women, take away vote

Myths as Means to Instruct Myths often relay a message or moral Myths often relay a message or moral Teach cultural traditions, values Teach cultural traditions, values Icarus—life has limits Icarus—life has limits Narcissus and the dangers of pride and self love Narcissus and the dangers of pride and self love

Myths to Explain History  A biased version of history  Reinforce Greek culture and power  Trojan War  Crete and King Minos  Founding of Rome  Founded by sons of Mars  Gave tellers sense of identity, sense of place

Myths to Entertain People were illiterate in early Greece People were illiterate in early Greece Couldn’t read or write Entertainment in an oral culture Entertainment in an oral culture Blood, shock, exciting tales The Heroes The Heroes  Herakles, Odysseus, Theseus, Jason  Stronger, smarter, more handsome than mere mortals  Nobility in humanity  Humans are better than gods

Cultural Supremacy and Civil Order Persuasion Persuasion  Greek superiority over non- Greeks  Other as “barbarians” Religion: Cult & Ritual Religion: Cult & Ritual  Maintained order  Gave people reason to be loyal to a city  Temples and sacrifices  Feared retribution of the gods Apollo’s Temple at Delphi

To Understand Literature and Art Mythical allusions and references Mythical allusions and references Keats and the Romantics Shakespeare and many others “Like Hyperion to a satyr” (Hamlet)

Brueghel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus (1555)

Truth in Myth Universal truths Universal truths Stories about the human condition Stories about the human condition

Archetypes and Mythic Patterns Greek characters, places, themes have influenced (consciously or not) Western literature and art Greek characters, places, themes have influenced (consciously or not) Western literature and art Journeys to the underworld Journeys to the underworld Serpent figures Serpent figures And others… And others… Finding connecting patterns Finding connecting patterns

Myth and Language Word origins Word origins Volcano Herculean music atlas tantalize Narcissism

Journal #1—Intro to Myth What purpose did Mythology serve in Ancient Greece, and what purpose does it serve today? Support your answer with evidence from the slide show as well as examples of modern-day allusions to Greek Mythology.