MYTHOLOGYhttp://getasword.com/blog/391-celtic-gods-list-of-celtic-gods-and-goddesses/

DEFINING MYTHS A myth is a story used

within a culture to explain the origins of life, death, cultural rites, etc. They are often closely

tied with religion, as they address sacred mysteries.

Main characters can be human heroes, but are often gods or supernatural beings

Every culture has its own myths

http://goddessesandgod.blogspot.com/

“Myths are stories about beginnings.”

Myths answer questions that are sacred BIG questions, like the meaning of life, how the

world came into being, why people die, and why the world is as it is.

Folktales and other such stories are more commonplace. They are usually told to entertain an audience, not to explain things. Legends are a major type of folktale. Tall tales, fables, and fairy tales are also

included under this umbrella.

THE TRUTH OF MYTHS In common usage,

something “mythical” is something that doesn’t really exist. It is synonymous with “imaginary.” ***This is NOT the case in an

academic discussion of mythology.

“Myth” is a classification term for a particular type of story, and it isn’t meant as a comment on factuality.

http://www6.miami.edu/sharklab/news_mythbusters.html

Folktales are not religious

Features include: Magic, enchantments Gods are not main

characters Heroes are usually

common people, not gods or demigods

There may be a lesson, or moral, but this doesn’t define folktales.http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/tales.html

LEGENDS Legends are usually

believed to be historical facts Sometimes they are

highly embellished While miracles and

fantastical things may happen, they are considered to be in the realm of possibility

http://popculturepanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/did-king-arthur-really-exist.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_Dracula

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot

WHAT ABOUT FAIRY TALES? Unlike myths or

legends, fairy tales and folktales aren’t usually intended to be true They typically involve

magic (but not necessarily fairies!)

They can express a culture’s values, or make moral statements, but they are entirely imaginary

http://novelnovice.com/2011/08/04/sweetly-a-lesson-in-classic-fairy-tales/

http://www.disneylandpostcards.com/Cinderella-autograph.html

http://xahlee.org/p/sex_in_little_red_riding_hood.html

http://abookwithoutpages.blogspot.com/2010/12/jack-and-beanstalk.html

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT MYTHS? “Archetype: A pattern or model that serves as the basis for different, but related, versions of a character, plot, or theme” (WL 9). Recurring patterns

across cultures and mythologies

These repetitions exist because they are so powerful—even now!

Flood stories, Golden Age, some creation myths, tragic love (R&J)

http://www.shoreregional.org

maicar.com

minwook12.wordpress.com

movies.yahoo.com

getmovielink.com

comicslounge.wordpress.com

CREATION MYTH JIGSAWIn your groups of four: 1. Summarize the plot. 2. Describe the traits or powers of the

main character(s). 3. What stories seem similar to this?

What cultures are they from? 4. What beliefs or values are revealed? 5. Highlight or underline all key points,

being careful only to underline phrases, not whole sentences or paragraphs.