Myths and Legends Be an Expert Legends Always

Myths and Legends Be an Expert!

Legends ¨ Always about humans but can have magic or supernatural events ¨ Based on real people who are considered heroes ¨ Story handed down for many years ¨ Passed off as a true story ¨ Example: Sleepy Hollow

Characteristics of a Legend ¨ • A story from the past about a subject that was, or is believed to have been, historical ¨ • Many legends tell about human beings who meet supernatural creatures ¨ • Historical but not always factual

Elements of a Legend ¨ Characters – Everyday people – Animals are often main characters too ¨ Setting – (Where and When it takes place) • Nothing Specific

Elements of a Legend cont’d ¨ Problem – Explains how or why something in nature happened ¨ Solution – Magic – Sometimes teaches a lesson

Myths ¨ Stories about gods, goddesses, and spirits ¨ Try to explain how things in the world were created ¨ Happened before the world we now live in ¨ May be connected to a religious belief system ¨ Example: Pandora’s Box

Characteristics of Myths ¨The gods and goddesses have human emotions ¨Myths contain magic ¨Gods and goddesses often appear in disguises ¨Myths teach a lesson or explain the natural world

Elements of a Myth ¨ Characters – Goddesses ¨ Setting – Nothing specific

Elements of a Myth cont’d ¨ Problem – Explains something that happens in natureby using Gods and Goddesses – Good = rewarded – Bad = punished ¨ Solution – Magic – Unusual creatures – Can teach a lesson

Myth vs. Legend • Use the information present here to complete your worksheet • Good luck • May the force be with you