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Into what categories can myths be placed?

Classifying Myths Drill: 1. Review your notes on “Why Myths Exist.” 2. Which do you feel is the most important reason? Why? 3. What are the additional reasons for which myths exist?. Into what categories can myths be placed?. The CLASSIFICATIONS OF MYTHS. 1. Myths of Creation.

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Into what categories can myths be placed?

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  1. Classifying MythsDrill: 1. Review your notes on “Why Myths Exist.” 2. Which do you feel is the most important reason? Why?3. What are the additional reasons for which myths exist?

  2. Into what categories can myths be placed? The CLASSIFICATIONS OF MYTHS

  3. 1. Myths of Creation • Start with darkness or nothingness • A god creates himself • The god begins to create more gods and an ordered universe

  4. 2. Myths of the Cosmos • Explain the existence and movement of the • sun, • moon, • stars, and • planets

  5. 3. Myths of the Origins of Humans • Explain how the first people were formed by gods

  6. 4. Myths of the Underworld • Belief that three “worlds” exist: • Heaven • Earth • Underworld • No judgment after death— every person goes to the same place after death • Kings and nobles may be granted a better situation than common people, as on earth

  7. 5. Myths of Heroes • Give examples of ideal behavior • Stress courage and endurance

  8. 6. Myths of Descent to the Underworld • Underworld is reached by traveling a long and dangerous path (symbolizes the move from living to dead) • Rarely entered by people who are still alive — a god or hero may attempt • May explain why crops disappear underground for part of the year • Many also classified as fertility myths

  9. 7. Myths of Fire • Fire can be the greatest friend or the most dangerous enemy • Fire-stealing myths: someone steals fire from heaven and gives it to mankind

  10. 8. Myths of Floods • Common around the world • Stories of the gods punishing man – punishment does not necessarily come through flood/water • May be mythological stories of real floods in history

  11. 9. Myths of Dismemberment • Usually involve a dismembered body of a god • Body parts are scattered, then: • The pieces are gathered up and put together or buried; or • The pieces transform into other objects or living things

  12. 10. Myths of the End of the World • Less common than creation myths • Might mean a rebirth of the world or people • Might mean a “second coming” of a god

  13. 11. Myths of Heaven and Hell • Many cultures believe that everything has a spirit— for example, a human has a spirit that outlives the body • At death, the spirit is judged • After judgment, the spirit is sent to everlasting reward or punishment: • Heaven is an exaggeration of an ideal world • Hell is often an exaggeration of what people fear the most

  14. Closure • What is a myth? • Why do myths exist? • Into what classifications do myths fit?

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