Classic Mythology Interpretation and Definition of Classical Mythology

Classic Mythology

Interpretation and Definition of Classical Mythology

The Problem of Defining Mythology • The establishment of a single, comprehensive definition of myth has proved impossible to attain. • No one definition can satisfactorily embrace all the various kinds of stories that can legitimately be classed as myths on the basis of one criterion or another.

The Meaning of “myth” • “Myth” is derived from the Greek word mythos, which can mean tale, or story, and that is essentially what a myth is: a story. • Basic definition: “a traditional story with collective importance. ” • Some will add the qualification that a myth must: • be a “traditional” tale or story. • Has value.

What is a myth? • A legendary story that explains the beliefs of a group of people, or their idea about nature. Myths were created before organized religion

What is Mythology • Every culture has its own myths that help us understand its customs and ways of viewing the world. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods!by Megan E. Bryant

What is Mythology • Most myths have one or more of these characteristics: • Usually about gods or supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities than ordinary humans. • Explain the origins of the world and how humans came to be. • Take place a long time ago, usually in the earliest days of humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth). • Usually thought to be true by their original tellers--no matter how wild or strange they seem to be. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

Four Essential Elements of Mythology • • The intervening of deities in human affairs. Supernatural character/elements Extraordinary Events Contain heroes and heroines

What is the purpose of myths • Myths can… • Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or the creation of humans. • Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society. • Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe them. • Used to help make sense out of things that were hard to explain (EX: trying to find the reason for a tragedy) Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their cultures and what is (or was) important to them. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

How Did We Learn These Stories • Myths were first passed down through storytelling, songs, poetry and art. • We learned the stories from written versions, mainly Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, which tell of the great deeds of heroes. • Other sources were Hesiod’s Theogony, which describes the origins of the world and the gods, and Homeric Hymns, as collection of poems addressed to different gods. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

Oral tradition • Mythology passed down from one generation to another through oral tradition. • Oral transmission will create constant changes in the myth.

Oral tradition • Sometimes the myths are even different in detail. • Homer's Oedipus rules after he discovers what he has done. • Sophocles's Oedipus puts his eyes out and goes into exile. • One version is not more true than another. • Typically we focus on the best-known variants. • But in reality, a myth is the collection of all its variants.

Types of Myth

Types of Myth • Can be distinguished by the nature of the main characters and the meaning they had for the listeners. • Divine Myth • Supernatural beings are the main actors • Legend (Saga) • Containing a kernel of historical truth. Main actors are human heroes • Folktales • Include elements of fantasy and magic. Main actors are ordinary people or animals. (Fairytale would go under folktale.

Divine Myth • Gods are beings that are vastly superior, more powerful, and more splendid than human beings. • Control forces of nature and whose quarrels can cause cosmic cataclysms. • Sometimes fully developed personalities, sometimes mere personified abstractions: • Zeus as opposed to Nikê (= Gk. victory) •

Divine Myth • Although these divine myths and the gods have religious implications, they do not constitute “religion. ” • A myth is a story. • Religion is a set of actions directed by beliefs. © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Divine Myth • Divine myth often provide the grand explanations for why the cosmos is the way it is. • Its overall structure • Its rhythms • Humankind’s place in it and its duties and roles • Sometimes they explained only local traditions or practices.

Divine Myth • Myths with explanatory purpose are called etiological. • Origin of Mt. Etna (Typhoeus) • Why the season vary (Persephonê and Demeter) © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Divine Myth • Divine myth and modern theoretical science both tell of the origins of the fundamental arrangement of the cosmos as we experience it. • Divine myth attributes the causes to the acts of willing, sapient beings. • Theoretical science refers to impersonal and general laws.

Legend • A legend is a story often believed to be true in which the characters are usually considered historical by some. • For example: Robin Hood or King Arthur

Legend • As divine myth is analogous to theoretical science, so legend is analogous to history. • “What happened in the human past? ” • Central characters are great human heroes. • The gods play a role, but they are not center stage. • Apollo orders Orestes to kill his mother, but Orestes is the main character.

Legend • These are not the acts of ordinary human beings, but they are still human. • Legends take place on earth in the remote past and were thought to be real human events. • The Greeks’ main interest wasn’t historical accuracy but the human drama of the events.

Folktale • A broad category that can include fables and fairytales. • Main characters are not great men and women, but just plain “folk. ” • Can include animals with the power to speak, which are called fables. • Folktale might represent traditional customs, beliefs, knowledge, values, and attitudes of the ordinary people.

Folktale • The characters are not believed to have really existed. • Often of very low social status, (mis)underestimated and abused by their social betters. • Youngest of the family • Folktale ends with reversal of fortune. • The trickster hero outwits his opponents

Folktale • Primary purpose is to entertain. • May also explain or justify traditional forms of society and beliefs. • Good eventually wins out • Family structures and order • Many popular films, TV programs, and novels are analogous to folktales. © 2012 Pearson Education Inc.

Epic Defined • Epic: A long narrative poem about the deeds of gods and heroes. It must meet the following conventions: • There must be an epic hero. • The setting is vast. It takes place nationally and internationally. It is given cosmic significance. • There is an element of the supernatural. • The hero is on a quest. He/she is searching for a larger truth about life. • Gods and goddesses play an important role in the life of the hero.

Epic Hero Cycle • Epic Hero: The protagonist of the epic. He/she: • • • Is a hero, often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities Is charged with a quest Is tested to prove his/her worthiness Is helped or harmed by many different mythical creatures Travels take him to a supernatural world, usually an area where humans can’t go

Epic Hero Cycle • Epic Hero: The protagonist of the epic. He/she: • Reaches a low point where he or she almost gives up • Raises above the doubt • Reaches restitution. Often takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne.