Mythology

1. Mythology http://getasword.com/blog/391-celtic-gods-list-of-celtic-gods-and-goddesses/

2. Defining Myths • A myth is a story used within a culture to explain the origins of life, death, cultural rites, etc. • They are often closely tied with religion, as they address sacred mysteries. • Main characters can be human heroes, but are often gods or supernatural beings • Every culture has its own myths http://goddessesandgod.blogspot.com/

3. Myths answer questions that are sacred • BIG questions, like the meaning of life, how the world came into being, why people die, and why the world is as it is. • Folktales and other such stories are more commonplace. They are usually told to entertain an audience, not to explain things. • Legends are a major type of folktale. • Tall tales, fables, and fairy tales are also included under this umbrella. “Myths are stories about beginnings.”

4. The truth of Myths http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_mythbusters.html • In common usage, something “mythical” is something that doesn’t really exist. It is synonymous with “imaginary.” • ***This is NOT the case in an academic discussion of mythology. • “Myth” is a classification term for a particular type of story, and it isn’t meant as a comment on factuality.

5. Folktales are not religious • Features include: • Magic, enchantments • Gods are not main characters • Heroes are usually common people, not gods or demigods • There may be a lesson, or moral, but this doesn’t define folktales. http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/tales.html

6. Legends http://popculturepanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/did-king-arthur-really-exist.html • Legends are usually believed to be historical facts • Sometimes they are highly embellished • While miracles and fantastical things may happen, they are considered to be in the realm of possibility http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_Dracula http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot

7. What about Fairy Tales? http://novelnovice.com/2011/08/04/sweetly-a-lesson-in-classic-fairy-tales/ • Unlike myths or legends, fairy tales and folktales aren’t usually intended to be true • They typically involve magic (but not necessarily fairies!) • They can express a culture’s values, or make moral statements, but they are entirely imaginary http://xahlee.org/p/sex_in_little_red_riding_hood.html http://www.disneylandpostcards.com/Cinderella-autograph.html http://abookwithoutpages.blogspot.com/2010/12/jack-and-beanstalk.html

8. Why should we care about myths? • “Archetype: A pattern or model that serves as the basis for different, but related, versions of a character, plot, or theme” (WL 9). • Recurring patterns across cultures and mythologies • These repetitions exist because they are so powerful—even now! • Flood stories, Golden Age, some creation myths, tragic love (R&J) http://www.shoreregional.org

9. minwook12.wordpress.com maicar.com movies.yahoo.com comicslounge.wordpress.com getmovielink.com

10. Creation Myth Jigsaw In your groups of four: • 1. Summarize the plot. • 2. Describe the traits or powers of the main character(s). • 3. What stories seem similar to this? What cultures are they from? • 4. What beliefs or values are revealed? • 5. Highlight or underline all key points, being careful only to underline phrases, not whole sentences or paragraphs.