Introduction to

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Introduction to Mythology
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Mythology Vocabulary
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A myth is a traditional story that serves to
explain some phenomenon of nature.
Mythology is a body or collection of myths
belonging to a culture of people.
Almost every culture has a mythology!
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What is a myth?

• There is not one single definition that
  completely explains the term myth.
• A myth is a story based on tradition and is
  usually fictional.
• It represents the beliefs and experiences of the
  culture.
• Myths often attempt to explain the mysteries of
  life.

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The word myth comes from the Greek word
mythos, which means word of mouth.
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Gods are supernatural immortals having special
powers over the lives of humans and the course of
nature.
A female god is a goddess.
A demi-god is a lesser god, a minor deity the
offspring of a human being and a god or goddess.
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A mortal is someone who will eventually die.
Gods are immortal they are deathless, living
forever.
A hero is a man of great strength and courage,
favored by the gods and partly descended from
them - often worshipped after death.
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A prophecy is a prediction of the future under
the influence of divine guidance.
A deity is a god or goddess.
Supernatural means existing or occurring outside
the normal experience or knowledge of man not
explainable by the known forces or laws of
nature attributed to a god.
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Most myths have shared common characteristics.
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Natural phenomena are explained in most myths.
Volcanoes and earthquakes are a result of the
fire-breathing giants, who were buried under the
earth by the gods, heaving and struggling to free
themselves.
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Many gods are used in each myth.
Since we have many natural phenomena to explain,
a huge cast of characters is required.
Zeus controlled the skies, Hades controlled the
Underworld, and Poseidon ruled the seas.
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Human emotions are part of the gods character.
Cupid shot his arrows to make people fall in love.
Aphrodite wanted all to feel the pangs of love.
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Magic is a major part of myths.
Hermes had winged feet and a winged cap.
Pegasus could fly.
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Good is rewarded and evil is punished.
Prometheus was punished for stealing fire from
the gods and giving it to men.
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Mythology is Everywhere
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An ALLUSION is a casual reference to something.
It is only used when the speaker or writer
assumes that the reader is culturally literate
enough to understand the reference. Allusions
are used to communicate meaning.
Cultural literacy is a knowledge and
understanding of the world in which you live.
Studying mythology increases our cultural
literacy.
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Mythological allusions are in our literature -
strength
He shall present Hercules in minority. His
enter and exit shall be strangling a
snake. Loves Labors Lost (Act 5, Scene
1)William Shakespeare
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Mythological allusions are in our schools -
determined
The Newman Smith Trojans
The Minnesota Spartans
courage
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Mythological allusions are in our cities -
a cultural center
Athens, Georgia
strongcrops
Ceres, California
the sea
Neptune Beach, Florida
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Mythological allusions are in our products -
speed
Nike shoes
rescuer
Ajax cleaner
powerful
Amazon.com
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How culturally literate are you?
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Ive heard I know what I have a full this
term it is/what understanding before it
means of it

• Nine-eleven (9/11)
• Click your heels three times
• Check and balances
• Team Edward
• Ctrl Alt Del
• Civil Rights Movement
• Starry Night
• May the force be with you
• Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies
• Hogwarts

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Give yourself one pointfor each check mark

• Why does cultural literacy matter?
• An allusion is a figure of speech that refers to
  a well-known place, event, piece of literature,
  myth, or work of art.
• The more culturally literate you are, the better
  you can understand the meaning behind an allusion.