CLA204H1 Lecture 1: Lecture1-IntroductionTypesofMyths.pdf
Document Summary
Divine myths sometimes called true myths or myths proper supernatural being is the main actor shown as superior to humans in power and splendor can be personified abstracts can take on human/animals shapes at will control forces of nature usually explains why some aspect of the world is the way it is explanatory myth = etiological tale ex. origin of mount etna (volcano in sicily) = zeus imprisoned the fire breathing monster. Legends also called sagas analogous to history > both try to answer what happened in the human past tales place in natural, familiar world can sometimes leave natural world (ex. underworld) stories of great deeds of human heroes/heroines often kings, queens, princes, princesses, other aristocratic elite some members of important family thought they were descended from them supernatural beings can play a part as helpers/aids but are subordinate to the human characters ex.
