Myths

1. Myths • A myth is a story with a purpose. It tries to make sense of the world.  Myths also try to explain the relationship between gods and humans. • Contain heroes and heroines • Supernatural elements • Gods and goddesses • Explains a natural phenomenon • Told orally (spoken)

2. Why did ancient people tell myths • To help explain the unexplainable • To explain natural phenomenon • To tell about their heroes • To explain human nature • To teach morals and values

3. Legend • Legends are about people and their actions or deeds. The people lived in more recent times and are mentioned in history. The stories are told for a purpose and are based on facts, but they are not completely true. • Davy Crocket – King of the Wild Frontier • Robin Hood – Robin of Nottingham • Chupacabra

4. Narrative Poem Poem that tells a story

5. Epic Poem • Long narrative, poem that tells a story about the deeds of gods or heroes. • Starts in the middle of the action. • Tends to have catalogs. • Invocation to the Muse or other diety • Previous episodes in the story are later recounted

6. Hero • In mythology and legend, a man who displays great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods. • A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life:

7. Epic Hero • The main character or protagonist is heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of legend or a national hero • The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing his failings as well as his virtues • The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of actions • The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage

8. In medias res • In the middle of things

9. Ballad • Song-like poem that tells a story, often dealing with adventure and romance.

10. Narrative Poem • A poem that tells a story.

11. Muse • Any one of the nine goddesses of the arts, literature to be recognizable as an element of literary experience.

12. Universal Theme • A message about life that can be understood by most cultures.

13. Allusion • A reference to a well-know person, place, or thing.

14. Quest • Epic journey upon which the hero must embark

15. Oral Tradition • The passing of songs, stories, and poems from generation to generation by word of mouth.

16. Alliteration • The repetition of initial consonant sounds.

17. Onomatopoeia • Use of words that imitate sounds.

18. Archetype • A symbol or character which reoccurs in literature to be recognizable as an element of literary experience.

19. Epic Simile • Elaborate comparison of unlike subjects. • An extended simile often occurs in multiple lines enhancing the comparison of the subject

20. Folk Literature • a story or legend handed down from generation to generation usually by oral retelling and tradition. Folk tales often explain something that happens in nature or convey a certain truth about life. Has a moral.

21. Epithet • an adjective or adjective phrase appropriately qualifying a subject (noun) by naming a key or important characteristic of the subject. • Brave Batman • Courageous Catwoman • Rosy-fingered Dawn