Transcript What is mythology?

Greek
Mythology
What is mythology?
 Oral
Tradition: stories
passed from group to group
for the purpose of
entertainment and
enlightenment
 For
a time, the oral tradition was
necessary for the growth,
development, and maintenance of
a culture, as few people could
read.

Question:
 Does
traditional storytelling,
capturing some aspect of
culture or society and passed
from person to person orally,
still have a place in our
society? Why or why not? In
other words, do you think
storytelling is still important in
2013? How/Why?
traditional story that is
rooted in a particular culture,
is basically religious, and
usually serves to explain a
belief, a ritual, or a mysterious
natural phenomenon.
 Myth:
 *Do
not read myths as
history. Read for enjoyment
and attempt to discover the
underlying truths.
 *Myths describe amazing
settings and incredible
creatures.
The Story of Arachne
Arachne was truly gifted in the
art of weaving. Not only were
her finished products beautiful
to look at, but the very act of
her weaving was a sight to
behold.
She challenged Athena to a
contest. Arachne created a tapestry
showing scenes of Zeus’ various
infidelities. Athena tore up the
tapestry. Arachne ran away in
shame and committed
suicide. Athena brought
her back to life but
transformed her into
a spider.
Purposes of Myths:
1. Myths present guidelines for
living.
2. Myths justify a culture’s
activities.
3. Myths give meaning to life.
4. Myths explain the
unexplainable.
5. Myths offer role models.
 Mythology—
a collection of
stories that deals with the
gods, goddesses, and
legendary heroes of a group
of people

These stories existed so long before
science and scientific knowledge that
many of the ideas seem childish to us
today. For example, a myth from Greece
three thousand years ago might claim a
giant lived under a mountain and breathed
fire. Today, we would use geology to
understand how fire would spew from a
mountain and call it a volcano. In the case
of lightning, the ancient Greeks would
explain it as Zeus, the chief Greek god,
throwing lightning bolts from Olympus to
the earth. Now, we understand that it is
the buildup of charged particles and how
they move through the atmosphere,
thanks to scientific knowledge.
Mythology and You, Today

Myths have survived thousands of
years because they have something
universal (applies to everyone,
somehow) to say to each generation.
They can be fantastical and
entertaining.

Many myths have value because of
lessons they teach. If you’ve
watched Clash of the Titans, Wrath of
the Titans, Percy Jackson and the
Olympians: The Lightning Thief,
Disney’s Hercules, or Troy, then
you’ve been entertained by an idea
that is over three thousand years old
and has simply been recycled for a
modern audience.