1. The Human Condition
the characteristics, key events, and situations which compose the essentials of human existence, such as birth, growth, emotionality, aspiration, conflict, and mortality

2. Guiding principles in Myth & Symbol
Writers use literature to explore and perhaps explain the human condition
Artists use symbols/symbolism to convey greater meaning than they otherwise could

3. Ask yourself: What makes me human?
What do I have in common with everyone around me?
What do I have in common with every human in history?

4. We are ALL complex beings! We ALL:
want to be loved
fear our enemies (some of us face our enemies, too)
have health issues
struggle with our egos
seek fame or recognition
are able to cooperate
want to be unique
want to fit in/connect
want to survive (maybe even thrive)
have a purpose
have a belief in a higher power – or do NOT have a belief in a higher power
wonder about death
 the list goes on….

5. Research has proven time after time that there are more similarities between humans than our minds feel comfortable accepting.
Skeptical?
Take a look at the following list and tell me how many of these common human traits apply to you.

6. Most people feel that they are:
• Reliable, dependable and hard working. • Friendly and fun to be around. • Not as satisfied as they could be. • Notas recognized as they should be. • Considerate to others and with good people skills. • Honest and loyal to their friends and family. • Have a moderate amount of self-esteem. • Good problem solvers. • Proficient at completing tasks. • Adaptable to most situations. • Overall capable and generally smarter than others • Good leaders (many think of themselves as natural leaders). • Resourceful and skilled. • Good-natured.

7. Most people feel that they are:
Proficient in their communication skills.
Family-minded.
Likely to respond positively to flattery.
Likely to respond positively to enthusiasm.

8. They all cherish the past, complain about the present and fear the future.
They consider themselves good-intentioned, even when behavior is negative.
They want to make decisions that will make them look good in the eyes of others.
They think about sex far more than they will ever admit.
Almost everyone is afraid of growing old and dying.
Only those in some sort of pain work to change their status quo.
Most are not 100% satisfied at what they see in a mirror.
They will continue with a bad habit until it pains them.
They dislike the feeling of being controlled or manipulated.
They dislike doing things that do not make sense to them.
They dislike change without a clear benefit or outcome.

9. If you think about the personalities, the consequences, the priorities, the values, and the experiences that show up in the myths, you can apply a lot of the lessons learned by the gods, goddesses, and mortals to your own life and your understanding of what it means to be HUMAN.
Examples: Control your emotions, value the wisdom of your elders, looks aren’t everything, we all have weaknesses, family is everything, power corrupts, love has no bounds, be careful what you wish for….

10. For your last formal writing assignment:
Describe how mythology helped you better understand the human condition (humanity as a whole) OR yourself as a member of the human race (individual).

11. Assignment criteria:
Choose one or more myths to use as supporting evidence.
Write a brief summary of the plot. This should be no more than three sentences.
State, in a sentence or two, what you learned from the myth.
Provide clear examples from that story that support what you learned.
MLA format
One full page minimum, two pages maximum
Submit to by 4 PM on May 16 (RED) or May 17 (WHITE)