PowerPoint Presentation

Mythology UnitQuestions to consider throughout this unit: (Hint: to know for your exam!!!!!!!!)

What is Mythology?

Why is it still Important to study and have knowledge of Mythology today?

Mythology:

From Hercules to Harry Potter

Table of Contents

What is Myth?Myth and TruthThe Cauldron of StoryThe Three Faces of MythArchetypes & The Heros JourneyMythical Elements fromHarry Potter & the Goblet of FireMulanThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingsThe Golden CompassStar Wars: The Phantom Menace

What is Myth?From Hercules to Harry PotterWhat is Myth?Myths areWHO?: Constant among all humans in all times.WHAT?: The glue that holds societies together; basis for morality, government, & national identityWHEN?: The thread that holds past, present, & future together.WHY?: Essential ingredient in all codes of conduct; patterns of beliefs that give meaning to life.(Bierlein, p. 5)A traditional story about heroes or supernatural beings, often explaining the origins of a natural phenomena or aspects of human behavior (Dickerson & OHara).What is Myth? (cont.)Myth is part of a broader body of literature, with fantasy & fairy tales, called FerieFay-ry - the realm of the Fay (a broad range of creatures, not just fairies: elves, dwarves, goblins, etc.) (Tolkien).

Fairies, Goblins and Dwarfs by Howard David Johnson, 2007FerieMythHeroic Legend & FantasyFairy TalesGeographyHistorical ScopeSignificanceCharacter TypeMeaningFerie is a broad continuum, with myth on one side and fairy tales on the other, and heroic tales and fantasy falling somewhere in between (Dickerson & OHara, pp. 26 28).What is Myth? (cont.)FerieMythHeroic Legend & FantasyFairy TalesGeographywhole worlds or other worldsa kingdom or realma single cottage, village, or woodHistorical Scopetimeless; may span centuriesSpan a few months to a few yearsin a mater of a few daysSignificanceaffect the whole history of the worldwhole kingdoms are affected; large cast of charactersaffects one to a handful of charactersCharacter TypeGodsHeroesEveryday peopleMeaningEndless re-readings; can be understood on many levelsMoral or easily grasped theme

What is Myth? (cont.)

MythFairy TaleLegend

Myth andTruthFrom Hercules to Harry PotterTime Saving Truth from Falsehood and Envy by Franois Lemoyne, 1737Myth and TruthThe word myth has come to mean a story which is untrue. Myth may be true. Any myth that has survived centuries certainly contains truth. However, myth and history are not at odds, nor are myth and truth.

Muthos (Greek) = word or speech, or logos = an account through reason Later, both came to mean "an account or story" or an account of what was trueLater, muthos - an account through story; logos - an account through reasonPlato's time fictionalized account; muthoi - philosophical ideas

(K. C. Davis, p. 11; Dickerson & OHara, pp. 30 - 32)

If you believe in fairies, clap your hands!Myth and Truth (cont.)The truth of myth does not depend on history or language. The truth of myth stands beyond history, enters history, and informs history.

Realistic fiction contains truth about human nature, the nature of God or gods, love, or the absolute corrupting power of the one Ring.Myth holds an objective truth that is independent of any time, place, or culture.The truth of myth or fairy tales is through self recognition.Myth reaches people in general; universal and transcends culture.Myth is how we comprehend our own experience.(Bierlein, p. 5; Dickerson & OHara, pp. 35 36; Neal, pp. 14 - 15)

Harry Potter The Mirror of Erised, Mary GrandPreThe Cauldronof StoryFrom Hercules to Harry Potter

The Cauldron of Story (Tolkien) Story is a soup containing bones

Soup = story

Bones = its sources and material

Ladle = author

Cauldron = massive kettle containing all of Story ever been told

Ingredients = history, myths, legends, fairy tales

The pot has always been boiling, and to it have continually been added new bits, savory or unsavory

History

Legend

Fairy Tale

Author serves up their storyThe Three Facesof Myth and FerieFrom Hercules to Harry Potter

Three Faces of Myth and Ferie (Tolkien)

Three elements of reality: natural, supernatural, and man (Dickerson & OHara, p. 42)Mythical toward the supernaturalA world of angels & demons & a supreme beingFairy tales depend on the supernaturalSupernatural remain in the backgroundViewed with a sense of mystery & awe

Magical toward Nature (Dickerson & OHara, p. 43)

Most important in the definition of mythNature is magical (Trees can move, speak, defend themselves, get angry)Does not deny science but it does deny that science is the only way to understand natureThree Faces of Myth and Ferie (Tolkien)

Treebeard and the Hobbits by Per Sjogren, 2003The mirror of scorn and pity (mercy) towards man (Dickerson & OHara, pp. 48 49)Sorrow & the desire to see restoration (e.g., Gandalf to Frodo re: Gollum, It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand.)We pity ourselves as a race We pity ourselves as individuals We feel regret and remorse for our own actions We feel sympathy for the perpetrators as well as the victims We hope for redemption & justice (e.g., Frodo must hope Gollum can be Smeagol; Luke must have faith Vader can be Anakin again)Three Faces of Myth and Ferie (Tolkien)