CLASS102 Chapter 1: What is Classical Mythology?
3 Feb 2019
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Document Summary
True myth/myth proper: stories mostly involving the gods and their relations with humans; mostly about the gods, religion, and the supernatural. Saga/legend: is related to history; may be fantastical and have some imaginative elements, but at its core, is based on historical fact. Folktales/fairytales: stories of adventure, usually involve fantastical creatures, the hero/heroine usually uses genius strategies to win in the end, goal: mainly to entertain. Involve many familiar themes and motifs: monstrous giant, wicked sorcerer/sorceress, damsel in distress, a hero/saviour with special powers, evil sisters, mistaken identity, labors, soling riddles, romantic love, e. g. Mircea eliade: myth = tales that satisfy human desire for religious orientation, satisfies this by explaining the origins of things and creation, god created the world myths, rituals being performed in sacred places surpass ordinary worldly things. Euhemerism: euhemerus: believed the gods were just ordinary people who were so praised that they were. Deified" after their death: rationalist approach (opposite of the metaphorical approach)
