Mythology

What are archetypes?They are recurring patterns, characters, images and plots found in myths, literature, and other art forms.

Monday – November 29

• IR – with active reading task & turn and talk• Archetype Characteristics – End of Childhood &

Flood• Gods & Goddesses – Who’s who?

HW – Read Greek Flood myth & song lyrics AND

study mythology terms from Power Point/notes.

CREATION:

CHAOSto

ORDER

Characteristics of The Creation Archetype

• Features personification of the power of nature (something in nature becomes a god

or goddess)• Shows a progression from a state of chaos to a

state of order (humans desire to control the natural world)

• Includes a great battle or war that threatens peace (in family or society)• Reveals cultural values• Explains origins

The God Teacher

Mentors -Human and Divine

Characteristics of the God Teacher Archetype

• Presents a mentor (usually a god or goddess) who transmits knowledge, language and skills.

• Presents a mentor who exposes people to technological advancements and offers advice on how to use those tools.

• Presents a mentor who can be kind and helpful (benevolent) or tricky and evil (malevolent). Either way, these mentors

influence human behavior and suggest the values of the society.

• With knowledge, language, skill, and technology, people become more powerful. Power can be used for the greater good, but it can also cause trouble.

End of Childhood

A loss of innocence

Characteristics of the End of Childhood Archetype

Confrontation with the harsh realities of life:• death• crime• violence• unfairness• drugs• pain/suffering• povertyForced responsibilities:• independence

• job• relationships• parenthood• decision makingLoss of naiveté and self-centeredness:• cooperating with others• sacrificing• gaining knowledge and wisdomExperiencing a rite of passage:• a ritual that involves casting off childhood and

emerging as an adult

FLOOD•End of the World

•Purify world of evil

Characteristics of the Flood Archetype

The flood archetype is the result of events described in the first three archetypes:

• Loss of Golden Age – people draw away from the gods and natural world

• God Teacher – people use the gifts of the god-teacher and challenge the gods

• End of childhood – people put innocence behind them and confront evil and death

“• Humankind misbehaves, so the “rains”

come as punishment.• The “flood” is an overwhelming storm that

wipes out the human race.• The water of the flood symbolizes both

death and birth.• After the flood, order is restored and new

life begins.• Illustrates gods as creators and

destroyers.• After the flood, a “Golden Age” may return.

The Cycle of Life

The Hero’s Journey