Slide 2 Slide 3 MYTHOLOGY UNIT Questions to consider throughout
this unit: (Hint: to know for your exam!!!!!!!!) What is Mythology?
Why is it still Important to study and have knowledge of Mythology
today? Slide 4 Slide 5 MYTHOLOG Y: FROM HERCULES TO HARRY POTTER
Slide 6 Table of Contents What is Myth? Myth and Truth The Cauldron
of Story The Three Faces of Myth Archetypes & The Heros Journey
Mythical Elements from Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire Mulan
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings The Golden
Compass Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Slide 7 WHAT IS MYTH? From
Hercules to Harry Potter Slide 8 WHAT IS MYTH? Myths are WHO?:
Constant among all humans in all times. WHAT?: The glue that holds
societies together; basis for morality, government, & national
identity WHEN?: The thread that holds past, present, & future
together. WHY?: Essential ingredient in all codes of conduct;
patterns of beliefs that give meaning to life. (Bierlein, p. 5) A
traditional story about heroes or supernatural beings, often
explaining the origins of a natural phenomena or aspects of human
behavior (Dickerson & OHara). Slide 9 WHAT IS MYTH? (CONT.)
Myth is part of a broader body of literature, with fantasy &
fairy tales, called Ferie Fay-ry - the realm of the Fay (a broad
range of creatures, not just fairies: elves, dwarves, goblins,
etc.) (Tolkien). Fairies, Goblins and Dwarfs by Howard David
Johnson, 2007 Slide 10 FerieMythHeroic Legend & Fantasy Fairy
Tales Geography Historical Scope Significance Character Type
Meaning Ferie is a broad continuum, with myth on one side and fairy
tales on the other, and heroic tales and fantasy falling somewhere
in between (Dickerson & OHara, pp. 26 28). What is Myth?
(cont.) Slide 11 FerieMythHeroic Legend & Fantasy Fairy Tales
Geographywhole worlds or other worlds a kingdom or realma single
cottage, village, or wood Historical Scopetimeless; may span
centuries Span a few months to a few years in a mater of a few days
Significanceaffect the whole history of the world whole kingdoms
are affected; large cast of characters affects one to a handful of
characters Character TypeGodsHeroesEveryday people MeaningEndless
re-readings; can be understood on many levels Moral or easily
grasped theme What is Myth? (cont.) MythFairy TaleLegend Slide 12
MYTH AND TRUTH From Hercules to Harry Potter Time Saving Truth from
Falsehood and Envy by Franois Lemoyne, 1737 Slide 13 MYTH AND TRUTH
The word myth has come to mean a story which is untrue. Myth may be
true. Any myth that has survived centuries certainly contains
truth. However, myth and history are not at odds, nor are myth and
truth. Muthos (Greek) = word or speech, or logos = an account
through reason Later, both came to mean "an account or story" or an
account of what was true Later, muthos - an account through story;
logos - an account through reason Plato's time fictionalized
account; muthoi - philosophical ideas (K. C. Davis, p. 11;
Dickerson & OHara, pp. 30 - 32) If you believe in fairies, clap
your hands! Slide 14 MYTH AND TRUTH (CONT.) The truth of myth does
not depend on history or language. The truth of myth stands beyond
history, enters history, and informs history. Realistic fiction
contains truth about human nature, the nature of God or gods, love,
or the absolute corrupting power of the one Ring. Myth holds an
objective truth that is independent of any time, place, or culture.
The truth of myth or fairy tales is through self recognition. Myth
reaches people in general; universal and transcends culture. Myth
is how we comprehend our own experience. (Bierlein, p. 5; Dickerson
& OHara, pp. 35 36; Neal, pp. 14 - 15) Harry Potter The Mirror
of Erised, Mary GrandPre Slide 15 THE CAULDRON OF STORY From
Hercules to Harry Potter Slide 16 The Cauldron of Story (Tolkien)
Story is a soup containing bones Soup = story Bones = its sources
and material Ladle = author Cauldron = massive kettle containing
all of Story ever been told Ingredients = history, myths, legends,
fairy tales The pot has always been boiling, and to it have
continually been added new bits, savory or unsavory History Legend
Fairy Tale Author serves up their story Slide 17 THE THREE FACES OF
MYTH AND FERIE From Hercules to Harry Potter Slide 18 THREE FACES
OF MYTH AND FERIE (TOLKIEN) Three elements of reality: natural,
supernatural, and man (Dickerson & OHara, p. 42) 1. Mythical
toward the supernatural A world of angels & demons & a
supreme being Fairy tales depend on the supernatural Supernatural
remain in the background Viewed with a sense of mystery & awe
Slide 19 2. Magical toward Nature (Dickerson & OHara, p. 43)
Most important in the definition of myth Nature is magical (Trees
can move, speak, defend themselves, get angry) Does not deny
science but it does deny that science is the only way to understand
nature THREE FACES OF MYTH AND FERIE (TOLKIEN) Treebeard and the
Hobbits by Per Sjogren, 2003 Slide 20 3. The mirror of scorn and
pity (mercy) towards man (Dickerson & OHara, pp. 48 49) Sorrow
& the desire to see restoration (e.g., Gandalf to Frodo re:
Gollum, It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand.) We pity ourselves as
a race We pity ourselves as individuals We feel regret and remorse
for our own actions We feel sympathy for the perpetrators as well
as the victims We hope for redemption & justice (e.g., Frodo
must hope Gollum can be Smeagol; Luke must have faith Vader can be
Anakin again) THREE FACES OF MYTH AND FERIE (TOLKIEN) Slide 21
