1. Mythology (part 2) World Literature Mr. Brennan

2. “Causes” of a Table What makes a table, a table? What causes a table to “be”? Do-Now Monday, September 9, 2013

3. SWBAT gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Mesopotamian culture by analyzing the form and function of the creation story, Enuma Elish. 1. HW Collection: College Essay: Draft 1 / Syllabus 2. Mini-Lecture: Aristotle’s Four Causes 3. Mini-Lecture: What is Myth? (part 2) 4. Mini-Lecture: Mesopotamian Context 5. Class Reading: Enuma Elish Learning Objective AGENDA Finish Reading Enuma Elish Homework Reminders

4. Aristotle’s Four Causes Knowledge is the object of our inquiry, and men do not think they know a thing till they have grasped the ‘why’ of it (which is to grasp its primary cause). 1. Material Cause 2. Formal Cause 3. Efficient Cause 4. Final Cause

5. “What makes something so-and-so?” Material Cause X is made out of Y Formal Cause Y is what it is to be X Efficient Cause Y is what produces X Final Cause Y is what X is for A table is made out of wood Having four legs and a flat top makes this (count as) a table A carpenter makes a table Having a surface suitable for eating or writing makes this (work as) a table

6. “What makes something so-and-so?” Material Cause X is made out of Y Formal Cause Y is what it is to be X Efficient Cause Y is what produces X Final Cause Y is what X is for C R E A T I O N M Y T H S

7. What is Mythology?

8. Mythology A type of “traditional literature” referring to a collection of myths (i.e. traditional stories) Myth is seen by some as "ideology in narrative form”, often explaining the origins of the world, humanity, and social culture. While many associate them as FICTITIOUS, the academic use of the term generally does NOT pass judgment on its truth or falsity. Created by ancient cultures, passed on through oral traditions first, then written down many years later Different versions of each story exist, even across cultures

9. Common Bonds All cultures have a creation story Creation myths seek to EXPLAIN: how the world was made, and how it got to be the way it is today Nearly all begin with the world in DARKNESS, and, via one or more intelligent creators, proceed to make ORDER from CHAOS

10. Why do myths exist? Religious: myths explain the supernatural, and our relationship with the divine—establishing purpose Anthropological: myths explain the origin of man Metaphysical: myths explain the origin of the cosmos Environmental : myths explain the natural world and phenomenon that is not understood (i.e. earthquakes) Psychological : myths reveal essential things about the patterns of human thought—how we relate to the unknown Social/Political: myths united people; justified forms of gov. Morality: myths teach lessons and values that are important to the culture; establish justification of good and evil Entertainment: storytelling was a common form of entertainment for ancient people

11. Why study myth? Myths are important because they show up in modern life and literature When a work of literature references an earlier work, it’s called an ALLUSION There are many allusions to mythological gods and heroes in modern literature If you don’t know these stories, you won’t understand the text the way the author intended

12. Why study myth? Reveal a culture’s central worldview and the framework for individual identity in a universal context. Provide insight into the human psyche and unconscious—explain human basic needs (comfort in understanding the unknown) Serve historical significance, insights into major events of the past (partial truth)

13. Why study myth? Myth comprise of stories/ideas that so effectively embody the values of a group that it profoundly influences their way of perceiving reality, and hence their behavior. Consequently, myth has the power to legitimize or discredit specific attitudes and or behaviors. Myths change their form and definition from one age to the next; thus, adapting continually to incorporate changing circumstances or knowledge.

14. Unit Overview We will be reading creation stories from across the globe. Mesopotamian Greek Japanese Norse Judeo-Christian

15. Weigle Frazer Unit Overview We will also be analyzing myth through various modern critical theories. Durkheim Marx Freud

16. Unit Vocabulary Antagonist—any force that is in opposition to the main character, or protagonist. Archetype—recurrent designs, patterns of action, character types, themes or images which are identifiable in a wide range of literature Duality— an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something; a dualism or state of being divided Euphemism—a mild word of phrase which substitutes for another which would be undesirable because it is too direct, unpleasant, or offensive Imagery—the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, to call to mind an idea, or to describe an object involves any or all of the five senses. Metaphor—one thing pictured as if it were something else, suggesting a likeness or analogy between them. Personification—treating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it were a person by endowing it with human qualities. Protagonist—the main character in a work, who may or may not be heroic. Setting—the time and place of the action in a story, poem, or play. Style—a distinctive use of language as a manner of expression—diction, rhythm, imagery, word choice, tone, degree of formality, grammar, structure, sentence length, organization, etc. Symbolism—a person, place, thing, event, or pattern in a literary work that designates itself and at the same time figuratively represents or “stands for” something else.