Norse Mythology: Historical Background

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Norse MythologyHistorical Background

• Course Target I will read and analyze technical
  selections, legends, myths, short stories, epic
  poems, poems and plays for theme, journey genre,
  and purpose

Daily Target I will learn some background about
Norse Mythology to successfully analyze its
purpose.
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Where does Norse Mythology Come From?!
Primarily Norway, Sweden and Finland!
Our Minne sodan heritage! Ya sure you betcha!
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This is Norway-ask Ms. Charboneau about it-shes
been there!
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• Norse Mythology has its roots in the Proto-Norse
  Iron Age
• Proto-Norse was a language spoken in Scandinavia
  that was thought to have evolved from
  Proto-Germanic over the first centuries AD. It
  is the language used in the oldest Scandinavian
  inscriptions, spoken during the 3rd-7th
  centuries. It evolved into the dialects of the
  Old Norse language at the beginning of the Viking
  Age.

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What happened to Norse Mythology?

• Norse Mythology flourished during the Viking age
  (3th-11th centuries when the Vikings explored
  Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and
  warfare).
• Then there was the Christianization of
  Scandinavia somewhere around the 10th century.
• Norse Mythology passed into Scandinavian folklore
  and there are some aspects surviving to the
  modern day.
• It then became a large influence on modern
  literature and pop culture.

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Why should we care about Norse Mythology?

• It will be part of our study relating to Joseph
  Campbells The Monomyth-the hero cycle-a cycle
  that will help us analyze literatures.
• It has influenced literature and pop culture in
  Western Culture, which can help us to make
  connections in the world around us.

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Some influences in Pop Culture and Modern
Literature

• J.R.R. Tolkiens writings were heavily influenced
  by pre-Christian Northern Europeans. The Lord of
  the Rings includes elements of mythology
  including elves and dwarves
• Marvel Comics The Mighty Thor
• Heavy metal lyrics including bands like Manowar,
  Therion, Bathory, Amon Amarth, and Tyr
• Video games! Final Fantasy, Too Human, Age of
  Mythology, World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich
  King, Ragnarok Online, Viking Battle for
  Asgard, Dark Age of Camelot, Guild Wars, etc.