Transcript Myth and Storytelling

Study for your TEST! Review ALL of your notes, literary
terms, and the character list!
Greek mythology is the basis of The Odyssey and still
influences our world today. Brainstorm with a table partner
and list as many modern examples of words, traditions, or
stories that are originally derived from Greek myth.
Example: The story of Achilles and our modern naming of the
“Achilles Tendon”
I will learn how myth, particularly Greek
mythology, influences modern language and
storytelling by taking notes and synthesizing
the information into my own words.
Myth and Language
~Etymology~
Ancient Greek myth has influenced the English
language greatly. Etymology, the study of word
origins helps us understand how Greek myth
influences the creation and meaning of many
modern words.
Myth and Language
• Titanic -
~Etymology~
The adjective we use to describe anything of considerable size and the
name of the doomed ocean-liner both originate from the Titans, the powerful group of
gods who ruled before being overthrown by the young, upstart Olympians, led by Zeus.
• Harmony -
Derived from Harmonia, the Greek goddess who restored a state of
peace in the aftermath of war.
• Hypnosis - Comes from Hypnos, the Greek God and personification of Sleep.
https://sites.google.com/site/sisyphusa/the-myth-of-sisyphus/etymologically-mythological
Myth and Language
Continued
• Echo - Comes from the myth of the nymph Echo (or Ekho) who was
one of many nymphs who attracted the desires of Zeus. When Hera, Zeus'
wife got wind of this she punished Echo, who was known for being overly
talkative, by condemning her only to be able to speak when repeating the
last sentence of whoever she was with.
• Narcissistic - Derived from the myth of Narcissus a young man
famed for his good looks, was so obsessed with his own reflection in a
pond that he leant over too far, fell in and drowned.
Myth and Storytelling
~Archetypes~
Ancient Greek myth has influenced countless
storylines with which we are all familiar. The
plotlines of these Greek myths are recycled and
re-imagined to fit modern audiences. Many of
the characters and symbols are literary
archetypes, or original models from which all
other characters of the same type are copied.
Myth and Storytelling
~Archetypes~
Pandora’s Box: According to Greek myth, Pandora
opened up a box releasing all of the world's problems:
death, suffering, disease, etc. Like Biblical Eve's eating of
the forbidden fruit, a convenient scapegoating of women
for everything bad that happens.
Myth and Storytelling
Elysian Fields:
The term Elysium has come to mean a place
or state of ideal happiness or paradise. Elysium or the Elysian Fields
were a predecessor to the Christian concept of Heaven, the
idyllic destination for certain people after death, in direct opposition
to Tartarus ( a particularly gruesome sub-section of
Hades), comparable to the Christian notion of Hell.
Myth and Storytelling
Pyramus and Thisbe: The story of two lovers
who live in houses separated by a wall. They are
forbidden by their parents to be wed, because of
their parents' rivalry. Their plots to runaway
together end in tragedy teaching their parents
lessons against unfounded hatred.
Exit Reflection
Identify at least ONE Greek myth that has
influenced modern language or storytelling.