1. What is Myth? Semester Final will based on this question so pay attention!

2. What it is- definitions Stories Stories Every culture/civilization has them Every culture/civilization has them Often part of religion and/or history of ancient nations/peoples Often part of religion and/or history of ancient nations/peoples People guided their lives by these stories People guided their lives by these stories Today they function mainly as entertainment Today they function mainly as entertainment Originated as oral stories, written down later Originated as oral stories, written down later Passed down over centuries Passed down over centuries Way in which humans explain what they cannot understand or cannot find a scientific explanation for Way in which humans explain what they cannot understand or cannot find a scientific explanation for Fiction that contains some kind of TRUTH Fiction that contains some kind of TRUTH Misconception: Myths are false stories Misconception: Myths are false stories Truths can be moral, historical, psychological, etc. Not necessarily FACTUAL Truths can be moral, historical, psychological, etc. Not necessarily FACTUAL

3. What Myth is NOT Stories about actual events/people Stories about actual events/people Can contain actual places Can contain actual places Troy Troy Scientifically correct Scientifically correct Ancients were trying to understand world around them to best of ability Ancients were trying to understand world around them to best of ability How echos worked– story of echo and narcissus How echos worked– story of echo and narcissus Can still provide scientific insights Can still provide scientific insights Archaeologists used clues in Odyssey to pin point Island of Ithica thought to be fake Archaeologists used clues in Odyssey to pin point Island of Ithica thought to be fake

4. Myth vs. Legend Myths are fictional stories containing universal truths Myths are fictional stories containing universal truths Legends are based on actual events, but have been fictionalized over time Legends are based on actual events, but have been fictionalized over time Wyatt Earp and the OK corral Wyatt Earp and the OK corral Chuck Norris is slowing becoming one Chuck Norris is slowing becoming one

5. Urban Legends-The American version of the myth Closest thing to an oral myth in modern times Closest thing to an oral myth in modern times A false story that emphasizes themes/issues that concern humans being at their core A false story that emphasizes themes/issues that concern humans being at their core Usually center around fear Usually center around fear Start as rumors and then end up as e-mail chain letters (forwards) Start as rumors and then end up as e-mail chain letters (forwards) Most people do not believe them literally, but relate to issues they concern Most people do not believe them literally, but relate to issues they concern

6. Various Insights Obtained From Myth Historical– verifiable historical events in myths Historical– verifiable historical events in myths Anthropological– culture of civilization Anthropological– culture of civilization Metaphysical- typical characteristics and limitations of humans/meaning of human life Metaphysical- typical characteristics and limitations of humans/meaning of human life Cosmological– universe as understood by best science available at the time Cosmological– universe as understood by best science available at the time Aetioloical- explains the origin or cause of a custom/ fact of the physical universe Aetioloical- explains the origin or cause of a custom/ fact of the physical universe Sociological– values about group behavior Sociological– values about group behavior Psychological– struggles of individuals to become mature human beings and useful members of society. Psychological– struggles of individuals to become mature human beings and useful members of society.