1. Ms. Teter
English 1
Mythology

2. Universal Themes
Oral Tradition – The passing of stories, poems, and sayings by word of mouth.
Love, ambition, and friendship
Expressed human concerns in stories
Explored Universal Themes
Insights into life that are true
across different times and
cultures
-Written lit grew out of oral tradition
- Around campfires/other gatherings, ppl told tales about…
Image from

3. Common Universal Themes
The importance of heroism
Strength of loyalty
Power of love
Dangers of greed
Storytellers explored such themes through the use of archetypes
Review: What’s an archetype?
Archetype – a plot, character, image, or setting that recurs in literature from around the world and throughout history

4. Culture
The culture that created the story is also an important factor in oral tradition
Historical and cultural setting, or context, - the beliefs, traditions, and customs that reflect that timeframe and location where the tale was created
Context can influence many aspects of a story
Figurative language  Review: Examples???
Presentation of Archetypes
Simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism, hyperbole (onomatopoeia and alliteration-sound devices)

5. Forms Various forms to express universal themes and archetypes
Only in memory and probably varied with every telling
Traditional Literature developed later as stories were written down
These narrative forms express the values, ideals, and behaviors cherished by society
These ideals of a society or culture are embodied in that culture’s classical lit

6. Narrative Forms
Myths – explain actions of gods and the humans who interact with them. Also, the causes of natural phenomena
Folk tales – focus on human or animal heroes; not concerned with gods or creation

7. Arts and Literature
Legends – folk tales that recount the adventures of a human hero; usually based on historical truth
Exaggerated = Tall tale
Epics – long narrative poems that describe the exploits of larger-than-life heroes
Usually a dangerous journey or quest important to history of a group/culture
What are some synonyms of exploit?
Adventure, feats, deeds

8. Why should you care? Learn lessons and serve as warnings
They have contributed to modern literature in ways such as symbolism
Commonalities between Greek mythology and Religious beliefs
Creation of the World
Separation of man and God
Great Flood, etc.

9. Quick Write
Who is your hero?

10. Epic and Epic Heroes Review: What is an Epic?
**Hint: Three slides ago**
Images from:

11. Epic Cont. Originally Sung, often on a harp
Contain information about the culture that created them
*Religion *Dress *homes *weapons & war *Gender roles *values & moral standards
Contain clues on what the creators feared or did not understand: *natural disasters *death *heaven *storms, etc.

12. What do they have in common?

13. Traits of an Epic Hero
“Larger-than-life” qualities, possibly supernatural powers.

14. Traits of an Epic Hero
Is a natural leader of men

15. Traits of an Epic Hero
Is appealing to the opposite sex, but rarely has an extended relationship

16. Traits of an Epic Hero
Defeats monsters (bad guys) and/or fights gods

17. Traits of an Epic Hero Has “good” on their side
**Ares, the God of War, rode alongside the Trojans aiding them in war**

18. Traits of an Epic Hero Often stands alone in battle
Beowulf fights big battles alone

19. Traits of an Epic Hero Smarter than everyone else; problem solver
Odysseus tricks the Trojan’s by hiding in “gift horse” and surprising them.

20. Traits of an Epic Hero
Has a weakness that often destroys them or leads to death
Achilles was shot and killed in his vulnerable heel that was not dipped in the river Styx

21. Traits of an Epic Hero
Long journeys, always on the move, travels to find adventure
Indiana Jones travels the globe in search of artifacts and adventures

22. Traits of an Epic Hero
Lastly, A skilled fighter