mythology Creation Myths Hero Myths Identifying Myths traditional

mythology Creation Myths & Hero Myths

Identifying Myths • traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes • explains aspects of the natural world or the psychology, customs, or ideals of society

Types of Myths • Origin/Creation Myths • Hero Myths • God Myths

Origin/Creation Myths – A story that discusses how aspects of the Universe came to be, as viewed by a particular culture or group. Common Elements/Purpose • Birth/Parental figures • Order from chaos • Characters are either deities, human-like figures, or animals (use of archetypes) • Set in a non-specific past • Answer meaningful societal questions • Yields a culture’s worldview and framework for cultural self-identity within a universal context

Archetypes • Myths, as well as other stories (both oral & written), often contain archetypes. • Definition: the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form Archetype Doppelganger Meaning/Synonym Example double; shadow; evil twin Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Females Mother Earth; Temptress; Maiden Hero; Damsel in Distress Cinderella; Fairy Godmother; Lady Macbeth Hero Epic Hero King Arthur; Beowulf Anti-Hero Reluctant Hero Achilles; Hercules Byronic Hero Tragic Hero Hamlet; Brutus Sage Wise Mane; Mentor; Guide Merlin; Glinda Trickster Hermes Villain Grendel; Hades

Creation Myth Project After reading sample creation myths and filling out the creation myth chart, create an original creation myth. It must include appropriate creation myth elements and be less than 4 paragraphs in length. Choose from the following focus questions to guide your myth: 1. Why does rain fall? 2. Why do people dream? 3. Where do stars come from? 4. Where does the moon go during the day? Choose 2! 5. Why do people sing/play instruments? 6. Where did color come from? 7. Why does the sun cross the sky? 8. Why does the wind blow? 9. Where did storytelling come from? 10. Why is the ocean so “bi-polar” (turbulent AND calm)?

Hero Myths – Traditional heroes are almost always male. – The hero is usually a demi-god (half god), or has a god in his family. – The hero has some kind of super-natural power or has the strong support of a god. – The hero is usually on a quest. He has a task or a challenge (or more than one) that an ordinary mortal could not carry out. – The hero is always seeking fame, glory and, most importantly, honor. These are more important than life itself. – The hero is braver, stronger, bolder and, sometimes, more clever than most men. He is close to the gods. – The hero usually has a weakness (usually too much pride, AKA hubris, or a terrible temper). This can lead to problems for him and usually to his downfall.

Hero background 1. Read the summaries of Jason, Hercules, and Perseus. 2. Take notes on each of the 3 Heroes using the chart in your packet

Hero Myth Project After reading about Hercules, Jason, and Perseus, choose one hero you like best. In the computer lab, do some more research on this particular hero. Step 1: Read at least 3 more stories that include this character to determine his character traits. Step 2: Create and hand in a list of 10 -15 character traits (physical, emotional, personality, strengths, weaknesses) for your chosen hero. Step 3: Write a new myth involving your chosen hero. Pretend your hero is a student at Union High School. Choose a NORMAL high school event (math test, prom, lunch room fight, etc. ). Your myth must expose the hero’s flaw(s) and character traits from your research.

Helpful Web Sites for your Hero Project General: • http: //www. mythweb. com/ • http: //ancienthistory. about. com/od/heroes/tp/Top. Heroes. htm • http: //www. theoi. com/greek-mythology/greek-gods. html Hercules: • http: //www. yale. edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/2/98. 02. 06. x. html • http: //teacher. scholastic. com/writewit/mff/greece. htm Jason: • http: //www. pbs. org/mythsandheroes/myths. html Perseus: • http: //ancienthistory. about. com/library/bl/newquiz/blheroes 1 c. htm

Mythology Final Project Directions: Each group will research a different type of mythology/mythological element, read myths from that lineage, and create a story that features elements from that type of myth/mythological element • The possibilities (you will pick from a hat) are: • Chinese Gods/Mythology • Mermaid Mythology • Medusa • Mount Olympus • Mythological Creatures • African Gods/Mythology