CLAS170 - Key Terms

myth

A traditional story that expresses cultural beliefs and values

cosmonogy

myth about the origin of the universe

→ theogony (chaos)

→ genesis

succession motif

younger gen overthrowing older gen

→ theogony (uranus → cronus → zeus)

generation motif

creation of world thru birth

→ theogony (gaia)

etiological myth

a myth that explains origin of something

→ pandora → human suffering

→ demeter n hades → seasons

→ prometheus → fire

charter myth

myth that justifies a custom, ritual, or place

→ apollo, oracle of delphi

→ prometheus, sacrifice to gods

eschatology

beliefs about the afterlife

→ tartarus

→ hades

→ odyssey (odysseus)

→ illiad (patroclus)

kleos

glory n fame after death

→ achilles choses kleos over life

arete

excellence/ fulfilling potential

→ hector dying fighting

→ achilles warrior for greece

time

honor / status

→ physical prizes

→ recognition

myth ideology

myths reflect a value of society

→ pandora: misogyny

→ illiad: honor/ war

comparative myth

comparing myths cross culture

→ pandora vs eve

→ flood (ovid vs genesis)

ages of man

humans get worse over time

hero

figure of great ability facing dilemma

→ achilles

→ hector

focalization

perspective of a story

→ daphne myth shows her fear

transgression in civilization

breaking rules = punishment + development

→ prometheus fire n pandora

decadence

decline of humans

→ ages of man