1. Introduction to Mythology
Honors English 9
Forsyth/Bernstein

2. Myth/ology
Mythos- which in Classical Greek means roughly “the oral speech”
the science or study of
Mythology is the study of stories originally passed by oral recitation.

3. What is a myth?
A traditional story created by ancient man (with unknown authorship) that explains natural phenomenon, cultural customs and institutions, history, and religious rites.
All nations have their own myths.
Egyptians: Baal
Greeks & Romans: Jupiter
Scandinavians: Odin
Danish: Beowulf
English – King Arthur
America -

4. What is a myth?
Made up of
Gods & goddesses (deities), monsters, heroes, creation stories, the natural world
Passed from generation to generation by word of mouth until they were written down which preserved them in form.
Purposes:
To explain science (they were way off)
And to entertain by telling stories

5. Why study mythology? Music Art History
the word “music” comes form the Greek word “muse”. A lot of myths tell the story of the invention of musical instruments.
the first opera ever was written about the theme of Greek’s Orpheus and Eurydice
famous composers wrote about themes found in myths
Art
famous painters & sculptors like Michelangelo and Botticelli depicted gods and goddess and mythological stories
History
myths contain important links to the past
many of our terms come from the past
janitor – Janus (Roman God)
June – Juno
Labyrinth

6. Why study mythology? Greek & Roman Writers The Creation
Myths as we have them are a creation of great poets
It offers the first written record of Greece
The Creation
Creation stories explain the existence of the gods, goddess, and mankind
Anthropomorphic – characterized by shapes or characteristics of a god, animal, or inanimate thing
Polytheism – belief in worship of many gods
Monotheism – belief in worship of one god