Mythology
Mythology (part 2)World LiteratureMr. Brennan
Causes of a TableWhat makes a table, a table?What causes a table
to be?
Do-Now Monday, September 9, 2013 2SWBAT gain a deeper
understanding of Ancient Mesopotamian culture by analyzing the form
and function of the creation story, Enuma Elish.HW Collection:
College Essay: Draft 1 / SyllabusMini-Lecture: Aristotles Four
Causes Mini-Lecture: What is Myth? (part 2)Mini-Lecture:
Mesopotamian Context Class Reading: Enuma Elish Learning
ObjectiveAGENDA Finish Reading Enuma Elish
HomeworkRemindersAristotles Four CausesKnowledge is the object of
our inquiry, and men do not think they know a thing till they have
grasped the why of it (which is to grasp its primary cause).
Material CauseFormal CauseEfficient CauseFinal Cause
What makes something so-and-so?Material CauseX is made out of
YFormal CauseY is what it is to be XEfficient CauseY is what
produces XFinal CauseY is what X is for
A table is made out of woodHaving four legs and a flat top makes
this (count as) a tableA carpenter makes a tableHaving a surface
suitable for eatingor writing makesthis (work as) a tableWhat makes
something so-and-so?Material CauseX is made out of YFormal CauseY
is what it is to be XEfficient CauseY is what produces XFinal
CauseY is what X is for
C R E A T I O N M Y T H SWhat is Mythology? 3:397Mythology A
type of traditional literature referring to a collection of myths
(i.e. traditional stories) Myth is seen by some as "ideology in
narrative form, often explaining the origins of the world,
humanity, and social culture. While many associate them as
FICTITIOUS, the academic use of the term generally does NOT pass
judgment on its truth or falsity. Created by ancient cultures,
passed on through oral traditions first, then written down many
years laterDifferent versions of each story exist, even across
cultures
Common BondsAll cultures have a creation storyCreation myths
seek to EXPLAIN:how the world was made, and how it got to be the
way it is todayNearly all begin with the world in DARKNESS , and,
via one or more intelligent creators, proceed to make ORDER from
CHAOSWhy do myths exist?Religious: myths explain the supernatural,
and our relationship with the divineestablishing purpose
Anthropological: myths explain the origin of manMetaphysical: myths
explain the origin of the cosmos Environmental : myths explain the
natural world and phenomenon that is not understood (i.e.
earthquakes)Psychological : myths reveal essential things about the
patterns of human thoughthow we relate to the
unknownSocial/Political: myths united people; justified forms of
gov.Morality: myths teach lessons and values that are important to
the culture; establish justification of good and evil
Entertainment: storytelling was a common form of entertainment for
ancient people
Why study myth?Myths are important because they show up in
modern life and literatureWhen a work of literature references an
earlier work, its called an ALLUSIONThere are many allusions to
mythological gods and heroes in modern literature If you dont know
these stories, you wont understand the text the way the author
intended
Why study myth?Reveal a cultures central worldview and the
framework for individual identity in a universal context.Provide
insight into the human psyche and unconsciousexplain human basic
needs (comfort in understanding the unknown)Serve historical
significance, insights into major events of the past (partial
truth)
Why study myth?Myth comprise of stories/ideas that so
effectively embody the values of a group that it profoundly
influences their way of perceiving reality, and hence their
behavior. Consequently, myth has the power to legitimize or
discredit specific attitudes and or behaviors. Myths change their
form and definition from one age to the next; thus, adapting
continually to incorporate changing circumstances or knowledge.
Unit OverviewWe will be reading creation stories from across the
globe.
Mesopotamian GreekJapaneseNorseJudeo-Christian
Weigle
FrazerUnit OverviewWe will also be analyzing myth through
various modern critical theories.
Durkheim
Marx
FreudUnit VocabularyAntagonistany force that is in opposition to
the main character, or protagonist. Archetyperecurrent designs,
patterns of action, character types, themes or images which are
identifiable in a wide range of literatureDuality an instance of
opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of
something; a dualism or state of being dividedEuphemisma mild word
of phrase which substitutes for another which would be undesirable
because it is too direct, unpleasant, or offensiveImagerythe use of
figurative language to evoke a feeling, to call to mind an idea, or
to describe an object involves any or all of the five
senses.Metaphorone thing pictured as if it were something else,
suggesting a likeness or analogy between them.
Personificationtreating an abstraction or nonhuman object as if it
were a person by endowing it with human qualities. Protagonistthe
main character in a work, who may or may not be heroic. Settingthe
time and place of the action in a story, poem, or play. Stylea
distinctive use of language as a manner of expressiondiction,
rhythm, imagery, word choice, tone, degree of formality, grammar,
structure, sentence length, organization, etc. Symbolisma person,
place, thing, event, or pattern in a literary work that designates
itself and at the same time figuratively represents or stands for
something else.
