CLAS 203 Lecture 2: Lecture.docx
24 Mar 2015
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Document Summary
The study of myth: recording and compiling the myths of a given culture. Recorded by members of the culture for goals other than that of study/preservation of myth. Written text not necessarily a true record of oral tale may reflect previous literary versions. Archaeology: artifacts and art clues to myth (who told them, when/where they were adoptive culture: assessment of the deeper human significance of myth (myth interpretation) In greece, thinking and criticizing myths has gone on for a long time (criticizing the gods as ancestors) Long history of interpretation dating back to antiquity. Can think about other perspectives: allegorical, philosophical, psychological, structural, etc. Never conclusive told: analysis of the role that myths played within the culture. Examine functions of specific myths in context of a given society. Myths told by/to someone on some occasion: identify teller, audience (gender, status, etc. )
