MYTHOLOGYMYTHOLOGY

Introduction and BackgroundIntroduction and Background

Facts about Greek MythsFacts about Greek Myths

Little distinction between real and unreal Little distinction between real and unreal Myths don’t reflect the horror and brutality of Myths don’t reflect the horror and brutality of

primitive lifeprimitive life Myths were the creation of poets Myths were the creation of poets The gods often act like no decent person The gods often act like no decent person

would would

Facts about Greek Myths Facts about Greek Myths

The Greeks made the gods in own image The Greeks made the gods in own image The Greeks created a “humanized world”- The Greeks created a “humanized world”-

gods exist in a world of humans, not the gods exist in a world of humans, not the unknownunknown

The Greeks feared the gods, but were also The Greeks feared the gods, but were also at ease with them at ease with them

The Greeks transformed a world full of fear The Greeks transformed a world full of fear into a world of beauty into a world of beauty

Facts about Greek Myths Facts about Greek Myths

Magic is used very little and astrology is Magic is used very little and astrology is completely absent completely absent

Ghosts do not appear on Earth because the Ghosts do not appear on Earth because the Greeks were not afraid of the deadGreeks were not afraid of the dead

Monsters appear, but only so heroes can Monsters appear, but only so heroes can overcome themovercome them

Purpose of Greek MythsPurpose of Greek Myths

Show us how human race felt and thought Show us how human race felt and thought ages agoages ago

Reflect mankind as center of universe- a Reflect mankind as center of universe- a new point of viewnew point of view

Made a sensible, rational universe, not one Made a sensible, rational universe, not one of fantasyof fantasy

Purpose of Greek MythsPurpose of Greek Myths

Myths were unrelated to religionMyths were unrelated to religion Greek myths are early science- they were Greek myths are early science- they were

used to explain nature used to explain nature Myths were used:Myths were used:

– to explain the worldto explain the world– for entertainment for entertainment