MYTH AND THE ORIGIN

OF THE HUMANITIES
Chapter 3

Mythology

Mythology is the basis for all humanities.

the science or study of myths

a traditional story of unknown origin to

explain nature, origin, customs, etc. of a
people

Archetypes

Term coined by Carl Jung

Characters, symbols, buried assumptions

passed on through the collective
unconscious

Models by which people comprehend

experience and cope with life

Exs. hero, outcast, angel, advocate, truth

seeker

Hero-World Myth

Birth of the Hero

Early Recognition

Born under wondrous

circumstances
Fills the early need
for acceptance

Great Deed

End of
childhood/transition
to adulthood

Heros loss of
power

Their failures
testify to the
greatness of their
lives

Modern Heroes
rejected during life
but celebrated in
death include-Joan
of Arc, Galileo

The Hero as a Special Someone

We still look for

modern day heroes
to admire

Olympians
Celebrities
Newsmakers

Chelsey Sullenberger
Landed his malfunctioning
Plane on the Hudson River
saving 155 lives

The Power of Words and

Numbers

Language is another
special kind of
archetype
Magic Words
A persons word can
make or break their
credibility
God Bless You after a
sneeze
Jinx when you speak
at the same time
Abra Cadabra!

Numbers also have

significance.

7 and 3 show up in
most stories, myths
and fairy tales.

The Circle

Unbroken line
without a beginning
or end

Used to symbolize
oneness,
completion, and
eternity

The Journey

Eastern Mythology
is a series of
happenings, not
necessarily a final
task

In the East, life is

one thing after
another, must be
accepted for what
it is.

Implies both
purpose and a
sense of
destination not just
randomness
Must overcome
obstacles, no pain,
no gain

The Garden

Would that we had

never embarked on
this journey; we
have lost too much
Idea of a golden
age or better time
Primitivism-return
to the state of
Nature, led by
Rousseau

Book of Genesis
Wizard of Oz
The Odyssey
King Arthur
Pilgrims searching
for the New World

Gods as Human Beings

Greeks felt gods were

made in humans
image (opposite of
Judeo-Christian belief)
Physical perfection,
attainable by certain
mortals
Gods were envious of
humans
In humanizing their
gods, the Greeks
deified themselves

Athena punished a
boastful Arachne
after losing a
weaving
competition to her,
turning her into a
spider

Myth as Explanation

Myths were created

to explain natural
phenomena

Ex. Changing
seasons

Myths were created

to explain the
troubles that are
part of life

Death and loss

Myths Explain

Creation

Seasons Changing

Human Suffering

Cursed by Fate

Myths of Childhood

Explain values
dont talk to
strangers
Obey your parents
Work hard

Importance of
Being Attractive
and Rich
Cinderella
Princess and the
Pea

Importance of
Names
Rupelstiltskin
Affirms identities

The Dark Side

Life is not always

sunny

Common Sayings

What goes around,

comes around
Mother Nature
Theyll think of
something
All you need is love
It must be fate
Just desserts
Us versus Them

Theres always
room at the top
Isnt that just like a
man/woman?
Everybody does it