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Myth

Ch 2 Mythology Anthropology 5 Magic, Science & Religion Winter 2013 Katherine Schaefers , Instructor Office: 3102 OH: 10:00-11:00am Mondays 7:15-7:45am Tuesday/Thursday. Myth. When we hear myth, we may think of: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, the Titans (ancient Greece)

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Myth

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  1. Ch 2 MythologyAnthropology 5Magic, Science & ReligionWinter 2013Katherine Schaefers, InstructorOffice: 3102OH: 10:00-11:00am Mondays7:15-7:45am Tuesday/Thursday

  2. Myth • When we hear myth, we may think of: • Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, the Titans (ancient Greece) • Romulus and Remus (ancient Rome • Isis, Osiris, Horus, Seth (ancient Egypt) • Thor, Odin (ancient Norse) • But myths are not just ancient…

  3. Modern “major” religions have their myths… • Adam & Eve (Judaism & Christianity) • Brahma, Krishna, Vishnu, many more (Hinduism) • The Jade Emperor/Heavenly Grandfather (Taosim) • Muhammad and the Angel Gabriel (Islam)

  4. Myth defined… • Religious, sacred, stories that provide basis for beliefs/practices • Origins of humanity, creation of the universe, nature of death/illness • Lay the founding for values/morals • Can be passed down verbally or in writing

  5. Worldview • Myths help to shape a society’s worldview, the way they look at reality. • Navajo vs. Judeo-Christian • Act in part w/ nature vs. control nature

  6. Myths vs. Legends vs. Folktales • Myth: Regarded to be true, accepted on faith, provides moral/ethical authority (takes place in a remote time/place)

  7. Myths vs. Legends vs. Folktales • Myth: Regarded to be true, accepted on faith, provides moral/ethical authority (takes place in a remote time/place) • Legend: Based on real people, considered (mostly) fact, sometimes has to do w/ religion. Examples?

  8. Myths vs. Legends vs. Folktales • Myth: Regarded to be true, accepted on faith, provides moral/ethical authority (takes place in a remote time/place) • Legend: Based on real people, considered (mostly) fact, sometimes has to do w/ religion. Examples? • Folktales: Fiction, meant for entertainment/non-religious. Examples?

  9. Changing nature of Myth • If passed down verbally… • Slight alterations with each retelling • Meaning of parts may change depending on the orator’s emphasis. • Remember more completely what is most interesting about the story. • Ex: Illiad (Troy) & Atlantis

  10. Changing nature of Myth • If passed down in writing… • Change in written language/translation to other languages may also change the meaning. • Scribal errors may omit from or accidentally add to the myth.

  11. Transmission discrepancies not the only reason Myths change… • Changing society, changing culture, changing religion, so….change the mythology. • Ex: Ptolemy, Egypt, Greece and Rome • Syncretism • The melding of diff. myths and religions with the goal of creating a mutually agreeable religion between disparate cultures. • Ex: Egypt and Christianity • Isis/Horus vs. Mary/Jesus

  12. Analyzing Myth • Evolutionary Approach (outdated): • How “primitive” societies advanced to more “civilized ones by starting with myth/magic, advancing to religion, and then finally reaching the pinnacle (science). • Comparative Approach: By comparing the mythology of “primitive” societies, could get at a “common form” of myth which was seen as also occurring in early European society. • Good ex: Frazer, The Golden Bough

  13. Analyzing Myth • Functional Approach: • Focuses on outcome: What is the function? What does the myth do? • Franz Boas: myths as a source of ethnographic data. A literal reflection of culture. • Malinowski: myths help explain religious rituals and social/moral rules.

  14. Analyzing Myth • Structural Approach: • What is the structure of myth? • Based on Levi-Strauss: myth as binary opposites • Light/dark, day/night, male/female

  15. Analyzing Myth • Psychological Approach: • Sees myth as composed of symbols • Sigmund Freud: Myth as a “shared dream”/childhood experiences (mother/father figure) becomes myth (god/creation figure). • Carl Jung: Our brains have “Archetypes” or certain characters that we, humans, have in our unconscious: • “The Prodigal Son”“the Hero”“the Helper”“The Fool” etc.: these will always pop up not only in myths but also in our stories and fiction. • Collective Unconscious: shared elements of the human unconscious mind that are manifested in myths/dreams.

  16. Themes • Origin Myths • Where all other aspects of Myth usually branch out from • Ex: Egypt • Flood Myths • Part of our collective unconscious because of our need to use the restroom during the night? -or- Natural occurrence for those who live close to rivers/oceans/seas • Ex: Atlantis • Trickster Myths • Bringing a certain element into creation, often by the use of wily, sneaky ways. • Ex: Prometheus • Hero Myths • A hero departs from ordinary life to pursue adventure. Here in a realm filled with supernatural wonders, he prevails against certain trials/foes, returning to humanity with some sort of boon. This is, as defined by Joseph Campbell the monomyth • Ex: Hercules

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