Mythology: the study of myths

1
Mythology the study of myths

• Myths are stories that use fantasy to express
  ideas about life that cannot be expressed easily
  in realistic terms.

2
Mythology the study of myths

• Stories of events believed to have taken place
  in the distant past, always involving the
  TRADITIONS, ETHICS, and RELIGION of a culture.
• A way to understand the incomprehensible.
• Reflections of cultural ideals, not reality.

3
Three Types of Myths

• Creation How things came to be invention
• of common conventions
• Hero Quest typical hero sent on a
• mission
• Journey adventurous tales

4
E p i c

• A long narrative poem that tells about the
  adventures of a hero who reflects the ideals
  values of a nation or race.

Epics are often based on legends that contain a
kernel of truth they are not works of history,
but works of imagination!
5
E p i c H e r o

• Larger-than-life figure, usually male, who
  embodies the ideals of a nation/race.
• long, dangerous adventures
• accomplish great deeds that require courage and
  superhuman strength

• A TRUE epic hero will change the fate of a
  nation or race.

6
E p i c Techniques

• Epic Simile
• a.k.a. Homeric Simile
• An elaborate, more involved version of a regular
  simile (Great length detail)
• Often contain digressive reflections, or thoughts
  that do NOT relate directly to the original
  comparison.

• Epithet
• a.k.a. nickname
• Brief descriptive phrase that helped to
  characterize a particular person or thing.
• Odysseus master mariner
• old contender
• Often used to have a correct number of syllables
  to fill out a line.