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MYTHS
A myth is a story with a purpose. It tries to make sense of the
world. Myths also try to explain the relationship between gods and
humans.
Contain heroes and heroines
Has supernatural (unexplainable by nature) elements
Gods and goddesses
Explains a natural phenomenon
Told orally (spoken)
Not told by one author
WHY DID ANCIENT PEOPLE TELL MYTHS
To help explain the unexplainable
To explain natural phenomenon – lightening, thunder
To tell about their heroes
To explain human nature – why people acted the way
they did
To teach morals and values – THEME!
HERO
In mythology and legend, a man who displays great
courage and strength, celebrated for his bold
exploits, and favored by the gods.
A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of
purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed
his or her life:
A person who worked for the greater good of others
EPIC HERO
The main character or protagonist is heroically larger than life,
often the source and subject of legend or a national hero
The deeds of the hero are presented without favoritism, revealing
his failings as well as his virtues
The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome
of actions
The action, often in battle, reveals the more-than-human strength
of the heroes as they engage in acts of heroism and courage
LEGEND
Legends are about people and their actions or
deeds. The people lived in more recent times and
are mentioned in history. The stories are told for a
purpose and are based on facts, but they are not
completely true.
Davy Crocket – King of the Wild Frontier
Robin Hood – Robin of Nottingham
Chupacabra
FOLK LITERATURE
a story or legend handed down from
generation to generation usually by oral
retelling and tradition. Folk tales often
explain something that happens in nature
or convey a certain truth about life. Has a
moral.
EPIC POEM
Long narrative, poem that tells a story
about the deeds of gods or heroes.
Starts in the middle of the action.
Tends to have catalogs – lists of things.
Invocation to the Muse or other deity
Previous episodes in the story are later told
through flashback.
ORAL TRADITION
The passing of songs,
stories, and poems from
generation to generation by
word of mouth.
ARCHETYPE
A character which reoccurs in
literature to be recognizable as
an element of literary
experience. Pattern! Stereotype!
EPIC SIMILE
Elaborate comparison of unlike
subjects.
An extended simile often occurs in
multiple lines enhancing the
comparison of the subject