Transcript File
WHAT IS MYTH? • • • • Stories based on tradition Either factual or fictional Explain the world and man’s experience reflect the universal concerns of mankind throughout history: birth, death, the afterlife, the origin of man and the world, good and evil and the nature of man himself. GREEK MYTHOLOGY GAIA (EARTH) CHAOS 12 TITANS URANUS (SKY) CYCLOPS 100-HAND GIANTS (imprisoned in Gaia’s body -> Cronus released them -> TARTARUS (lowest part of hell) 6 OLYMPIANS – 1ST GENERATION • • • • • • ZEUS (JUPITER) – SKY POSEIDON (NEPTUNE) – SEA HADES (PLUTO) – DEATH HERA (JUNO) – HEAVEN DEMETER (CERES) – FERTILITY HESTIA (VESTA) - HEARTH ZEUS POSEIDON MYTH VS LEGEND MYTHS LEGENDS About Traditional stories in timeless past Stories about real people who are famous for doing something brave/extraordinary Who do they talk about? Supernatural beings or events Superheroes, actual events Time Are not in synch with the Have a chronology of events present day chronology of events Fact or Fiction Religious myths are termed mythology while other myths are considered fictions Considered facts of distorted facts Proof Do not have a time frame to support them There may be proof to support them as they have a time frame of cocurrence. Lets just remind ourselves what features are common to these genres • Checklist for a myth • Story about gods and goddesses; • Includes magical elements and powers; • Features heroic characters; • May explain a strange/important happening in nature; • Features danger and violent acts; • Includes attack/revenge; • Set in ancient times; • Uses powerful imagery; • May mention strange creatures • Checklist for a legend • Story about people; • Little mention of gods/goddesses; • Possible basis of truth; • Features heroic characters; • Emphasis on bravery and daring deeds; • Battles or confrontations likely; • Distinction made between honour and dishonour; • Good defeats evil; • Features a traditional ending.