1. Quick Word on Mythology Mr. Moccia ’ s English I: Honors/Pre-IB

2. Defining Mythology OED (a great source!) OED (a great source!) a. A traditional story, typically involving supernatural beings or forces or creatures, which embodies and provides an explanation or justification for something such as the early history of a society, a religious belief or ritual, or a natural phenomenon a. A traditional story, typically involving supernatural beings or forces or creatures, which embodies and provides an explanation or justification for something such as the early history of a society, a religious belief or ritual, or a natural phenomenon b. As a mass noun: such stories collectively or as a genre b. As a mass noun: such stories collectively or as a genre

3. Defining some more… Also from the OED… Also from the OED… A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief A widespread but untrue or erroneous story or belief A popular conception of a person or thing which exaggerates or idealizes the truth A popular conception of a person or thing which exaggerates or idealizes the truth Although these last two definitions are important to know and will be discussed, the former definition is the one that will be used in class Although these last two definitions are important to know and will be discussed, the former definition is the one that will be used in class

4. Why do myths exist? To explain the To explain theinexplicable Myths often use the Myths often use the supernatural to interpret natural events and to explain the nature of the universe and humanity Myths usually express the values and/or beliefs of the cultural system from which they came

5. What myths are not… Legends Legends stories about the (usually more recent) past, which generally include, or are based on, some historical events stories about the (usually more recent) past, which generally include, or are based on, some historical events Fairy Tales Fairy Tales focused on human heroes; stories which lack any definite historical setting and often include such things as fairies, witches, a fairy guide and animal characters. focused on human heroes; stories which lack any definite historical setting and often include such things as fairies, witches, a fairy guide and animal characters.

6. Types of Myths Creation myths: describes how the world or universe came into being Creation myths: describes how the world or universe came into being Origin myths (aetiologies): describe the beginnings of a custom, name or object Origin myths (aetiologies): describe the beginnings of a custom, name or object Ritual myths: explain the performance of certain religious practices or patterns and associated with temples or centers of worship Ritual myths: explain the performance of certain religious practices or patterns and associated with temples or centers of worship

7. Types, continued Eschatological myths: stories which describe catastrophic ends to the present world order Eschatological myths: stories which describe catastrophic ends to the present world order Social myths: reinforce Social myths: reinforce or defend current social values or practices Trickster myth: concerns Trickster myth: concerns itself with the pranks or itself with the pranks or tricks played by gods or tricks played by gods or heroes heroes

8. Interpreting Myths Many different ways throughout history Many different ways throughout history Jung: Jung: tried to understand the psychology behind world myths. Jung argued that the gods of mythology are not material beings, but archetypes — or mental states and moods — that all humans can feel, share, and experience. He and his adherents believe archetypes directly affect our subconscious perceptions and way of understanding tried to understand the psychology behind world myths. Jung argued that the gods of mythology are not material beings, but archetypes — or mental states and moods — that all humans can feel, share, and experience. He and his adherents believe archetypes directly affect our subconscious perceptions and way of understandingarchetypes

9. Myth as form of Truth Lewis and Tolkien believed in myths as expressing Truth Lewis and Tolkien believed in myths as expressing Truth

10. Why do we study myths? To understand history To understand history To understand our cultural heritage To understand our cultural heritage To understand the symbolism, language, references, and much more that you will see throughout your educational lives – and beyond To understand the symbolism, language, references, and much more that you will see throughout your educational lives – and beyond To establish your foundational knowledge, upon which everything else will rest more solidly To establish your foundational knowledge, upon which everything else will rest more solidly

11. Allusions Allusion: “An implied or indirect reference, especially in literature” Allusion: “An implied or indirect reference, especially in literature” A lot of important literature, past and current, take their root in different muthologies. We need to become experts at picking up and analyzing these allusions. A lot of important literature, past and current, take their root in different muthologies. We need to become experts at picking up and analyzing these allusions.