Myth and the Origin of the Humanities

1. Myth and the Origin of the Humanities Chapter 3

2. Mythology • Mythology is the basis for all humanities. • “the science or study of myths” • “a traditional story of unknown origin to explain nature, origin, customs, etc. of a people”

3. Archetypes • Term coined by Carl Jung • Characters, symbols, buried assumptions passed on through the collective unconscious • Models by which people comprehend experience and cope with life • Exs. hero, outcast, angel, advocate, truth seeker

4. Hero-World Myth • Birth of the Hero • Born under wondrous circumstances • Early Recognition • Fills the early need for acceptance • Great Deed • End of childhood/transition to adulthood

5. Hero’s loss of power • Their failures testify to the greatness of their lives • Modern Heroes rejected during life but celebrated in death include-Joan of Arc, Galileo

6. The Hero as a Special Someone • We still look for modern day heroes to admire • Olympians • Celebrities • Newsmakers ChelseySullenberger Landed his malfunctioning Plane on the Hudson River saving 155 lives

7. The Power of Words and Numbers • Language is another special kind of archetype • Magic Words • A person’s “word” can make or break their credibility • “God Bless You” after a sneeze • “Jinx” when you speak at the same time • “AbraCadabra!” • Numbers also have significance. • 7 and 3 show up in most stories, myths and fairy tales.

8. The Circle • Unbroken line without a beginning or end • Used to symbolize oneness, completion, and eternity

9. The Journey • Implies both purpose and a sense of destination not just randomness • Must overcome obstacles, “no pain, no gain” • Eastern Mythology is a series of happenings, not necessarily a final task • In the East, life is one thing after another, must be accepted for what it is.

10. The Garden • “Would that we had never embarked on this journey; we have lost too much” • Idea of a golden age or better time • Primitivism-return to the state of Nature, led by Rousseau • Book of Genesis • Wizard of Oz • The Odyssey • King Arthur • Pilgrims searching for the New World

11. Gods as Human Beings • Greeks felt gods were made in human’s image (opposite of Judeo-Christian belief) • Physical perfection, attainable by certain mortals • Gods were envious of humans • In humanizing their gods, the Greeks deified themselves • Athena punished a boastful Arachne after losing a weaving competition to her, turning her into a spider

12. Myth as Explanation • Myths were created to explain natural phenomena • Ex. Changing seasons • Myths were created to explain the troubles that are part of life • Death and loss

13. Myths Explain… • Creation • Seasons Changing • Human Suffering • Cursed by Fate

14. Myths of Childhood • Explain values • don’t talk to strangers • Obey your parents • Work hard • Importance of Being Attractive and Rich • Cinderella • Princess and the Pea • Importance of Names • Rupelstiltskin • Affirms identities • The Dark Side • Life is not always sunny

15. Common Sayings • What goes around, comes around • Mother Nature • They’ll think of something • All you need is love • It must be fate • Just desserts • Us versus Them • There’s always room at the top • Isn’t that just like a man/woman? • Everybody does it