EM 5

Module 1: Introduction to Mythology and Folklore

Definition of Important Concepts

  • Myth

    • A myth is a traditional story of unknown origin that explains natural phenomena, historical events, or the actions of gods and supernatural beings.

    • It is considered a symbolic expression of the imagination and beliefs of a culture.

  • Mythology

    • Mythology refers to the collection of myths belonging to a particular culture or group of people, usually involving gods, demigods, heroes, and supernatural events.

  • Folklore

    • Folklore refers to the knowledge, traditions, beliefs, customs, and stories passed orally from one generation to another.

Types of Myth

  1. Pure Myth / True Myth / Myth Proper

    • Stories explaining the origin of the world, nature, and the relationship between humans and gods.

  2. Sage or Legend

    • Stories that contain a small element of historical truth, often involving heroic figures or historical events.

  3. Folktale or Fairy Tale

    • Stories created mainly for entertainment, often involving magic, supernatural beings, or imaginary characters.

Types of Folkloric Literature

  • Folktales

    • Stories with unknown authors, passed orally, with simple characters and usually a satisfying ending.

  • Fairy Tales

    • A type of folktale set in magical worlds, often involving kings, queens, witches, and magical creatures.

  • Legends

    • Stories about real or semi-real people and places, usually with some historical basis.

  • Tall Tales

    • Humorous stories featuring exaggerated heroes and impossible events, told as if they were true.

  • Fables

    • Short stories that usually feature animal characters that teach moral lessons.

Functions of Myth (Joseph Campbell)

  • Mystical Function

    • Creates a sense of wonder and mystery about the universe.

  • Cosmological Function

    • Explains how the universe and natural world operate.

  • Sociological Function

    • Supports and validates the social structure and cultural traditions of a society.

  • Pedagogical Function

    • Teaches moral lessons and guides people on how to live their lives.

Module 2: Mythological Archetypal Reading Approach

Background of the Theory

  • Psychologist Carl Gustav Jung proposed that human behavior and thinking are influenced by universal patterns in the human mind.

  • He developed a theory explaining that myths and stories come from shared psychological patterns called archetypes.

Important Concepts

  • Myths

    • Symbolic stories that reflect a people's hopes, fears, values, and beliefs.

  • Archetypes

    • Recurring symbols, characters, patterns, or themes that appear in different cultures and literary works.

  • Collective Unconscious

    • A universal part of the human mind that contains shared memories and symbolic patterns inherited by all humans.

  • Mythological and Archetypal Criticism

    • A method of literary interpretation that focuses on recurring myths and archetypal patterns in literature.

Jung's Model of the Human Psyche

  • Personal Conscious

    • The current thoughts and awareness of a person.

  • Personal Unconscious

    • Memories and experiences that are not currently in awareness but can influence behavior.

  • Collective Unconscious

    • The deepest level of the psyche shared by all humans, containing universal symbols and archetypes.

Module 3: Common Archetypes

Character Archetype

  • Hero

    • The main character who fulfills an important mission or task.

  • Young Person from the Provinces

    • A character raised by strangers who later discovers their true identity or destiny.

  • Initiates

    • Innocent characters who must face challenges in order to gain maturity and knowledge.

  • Mentor

    • A teacher, guide, or counselor who helps the hero prepare for challenges.

  • Friendly Beast

    • Animals or creatures that assist or guide the hero.

  • Devil Figure

    • A character representing evil, temptation, or destruction.

  • Temptress

    • A character who leads the hero into danger or causes their downfall.

  • Platonic Ideal

    • A character representing intellectual or spiritual inspiration.

  • Damsel in Distress

    • A vulnerable character who needs rescue.

  • Star-Crossed Lovers

    • Lovers whose relationship is destined to end in tragedy.

  • Scapegoat

    • A character sacrificed for the good or survival of society.

  • Outcast

    • A character rejected or banished from society.

  • Earth Mother

    • A nurturing figure connected with nature and life.

  • Unfaithful Wife

    • A character who betrays her husband.

Situational Archetypes

  • The Quest

    • A journey undertaken to search for someone or something important.

  • The Task

    • A difficult challenge requiring extraordinary skill or strength.

  • The Journey

    • A physical or spiritual search for truth and knowledge.

  • The Initiation

    • A process where a character grows from innocence to maturity.

  • The Ritual

    • A ceremony marking an important change or transformation.

  • The Fall

    • A decline from a higher state to a lower condition, often caused by pride or mistake.

  • Death and Rebirth

    • Symbolizes renewal, transformation, or a new beginning.

  • Battle Between Good and Evil

    • A conflict between moral opposites.

  • Nature vs. the Mechanistic World

    • Conflict between natural life and artificial society.

Symbolic Archetypes

  • Light vs Darkness

    • Hope and knowledge versus despair and ignorance.

  • Water vs Desert

    • Life and growth versus sterility and death.

  • Heaven vs Hell

    • Ultimate good versus ultimate evil.

  • Fire vs Ice

    • Knowledge and passion versus ignorance and coldness.

  • Supernatural Intervention

    • Divine forces influencing human events.

  • Fog

    • Confusion, uncertainty, or lack of clarity.

  • River

    • Represents the flow of time and life.

  • Crossroads

    • A point where an important decision must be made.

  • Castle

    • Safety, protection, or security.

  • Tower

    • Isolation or separation from society.

Great Themes of Myth

  • Creation

  • Gods and Goddesses

  • Heroic Figures

  • Monsters and Demons

  • Animals

  • The Underworld

  • Journeys, Quests, and Trials

  • The Afterlife

  • Worlds Destroyed

Module 4: Greek and Roman Mythology

Key Concepts

  • Greek mythology portrayed gods in an anthropomorphic sense, meaning they looked and behaved like humans with emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.

  • The Romans later adopted Greek mythology, changing the names of the gods while retaining many of the same stories.

Key Writer

  • Homer

    • Considered the greatest ancient Greek epic poet.

    • His famous works include:

    • The Iliad

      • Focuses on the events of the Trojan War.

    • The Odyssey

      • Tells the story of Odysseus and his long journey home after the Trojan War.

Elements of Greek Myth

  • Presence of gods and goddesses.

  • Interaction between gods and humans.

  • Larger-than-life characters.

  • Stories that attempt to explain universal questions about life and nature.

Epic Literature Definition

  • Epic literature refers to long narrative poems that describe the adventures of heroic figures and reflect the values and identity of a civilization.

Characteristics of Epic Literature

  1. Many epics were originally sung or told orally.

  2. They contain figurative language and poetic elements.

  3. Important phrases or images are repeated.

  4. They highlight an Epic Hero.

  5. They include a foil character who contrasts with the hero.

Eight Characteristics of an Epic Hero

  1. Brave and courageous.

  2. Possesses superhuman strength or abilities.

  3. Successful in battle.

  4. Shows little fear of wounds or death.

  5. Often born of noble or semi-divine ancestry.

  6. Gains fame outside his homeland.

  7. Has a foil character (often a flawed king).

  8. Extremely loyal.

Greek Beliefs

  • Greek gods were portrayed in anthropomorphic form, meaning they looked and behaved like humans, including having emotions and flaws.

  • The Romans later adopted Greek mythology but changed the names of many gods.

Greek and Roman Gods

  • Zeus (Greek) / Jupiter (Roman)

    • King of the gods and god of thunder.

  • Hera (Greek) / Juno (Roman)

    • Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage.

  • Poseidon (Greek) / Neptune (Roman)

    • God of the sea.

  • Hades (Greek) / Pluto (Roman)

    • God of the underworld.

  • Aphrodite (Greek) / Venus (Roman)

    • Goddess of love and beauty.

  • Athena (Greek) / Minerva (Roman)

    • Goddess of wisdom and strategy.

  • Ares (Greek) / Mars (Roman)

    • God of war.

  • Apollo (Greek) / Apollo (Roman)

    • God of music, prophecy, and the sun.

  • Artemis (Greek) / Diana (Roman)

    • Goddess of the moon and hunting.

  • Hermes (Greek) / Mercury (Roman)

    • Messenger of the gods.

  • Demeter (Greek) / Ceres (Roman)

    • Goddess of agriculture.

  • Dionysus (Greek) / Bacchus (Roman)

    • God of wine and celebration.

  • Hephaestus (Greek) / Vulcan (Roman)

    • God of fire and craftsmanship.

  • Eros (Greek) / Cupid (Roman)

    • God of love.

  • Persephone (Greek) / Proserpina (Roman)

    • Queen of the underworld.

  • Gaea (Greek) / Terra (Roman)

    • Mother Earth.

  • Cronus (Greek) / Saturn (Roman)

    • Titan associated with time and agriculture.

Module 5: Norse Mythology

Characteristics and Context

  • Norse mythology originated from the ancient Scandinavians, including people from:

    • Norway

    • Sweden

    • Denmark

    • Iceland

  • Many myths were recorded in the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson.

Fatalism

  • Norse mythology emphasizes fate and destiny.

  • The gods are destined to face destruction during Ragnarok, the final battle that ends the world.

Nature of Norse Gods

  • They possess human emotions.

  • They are not completely immortal.

  • They interact less with humans compared to Greek gods.

Norse Gods and Characters

  • Odin

    • Chief god; god of wisdom, poetry, and battle.

  • Thor

    • God of thunder and strength.

  • Tyr (Tiwaz)

    • God of war and justice.

  • Balder

    • Gentle and beloved god.

  • Loki

    • Trickster god and source of mischief.

  • Frigg

    • Goddess of marriage and motherhood.

  • Njord

    • God of the sea and seafaring.

  • Freyr

    • God of fertility and prosperity.

  • Freyja

    • Goddess of love and beauty.

  • Heimdall

    • Guardian of Asgard.

  • Hel

    • Goddess of the dead and ruler of Niflheim.

  • Fenrir

    • Giant wolf and child of Loki.

  • Ymir

    • Primordial giant whose body formed the world.

Major Themes in Norse Mythology

  • Bravery

    • Courage in facing an unavoidable fate.

  • Creation

    • The world began in Ginnungagap, the empty space between fire and ice.

  • The Universe

    • Divided into nine realms across three levels.

  • Good vs Evil

    • The gods represent order while giants represent chaos.

Key Facts About Beowulf

  • Beowulf is the longest surviving Anglo-Saxon poem and the oldest epic in English literature.

  • Written by an unknown poet around the 7th–8th century.

  • Likely performed orally with music.

  • Set in the 6th century.

  • Locations include Denmark and southern Sweden.

Theme of the Epic

  • The story explores:

    • The passing of time.

    • The inevitability of fate and death.

Beowulf’s Last Battle

  • After ruling the Geats for 50 years, Beowulf fights a dragon threatening his kingdom.

  • During the battle:

    • His sword breaks.

    • Most warriors flee.

  • Wiglaf

    • Wiglaf is the only warrior who remains loyal to Beowulf.

    • He remembers his oath and helps Beowulf defeat the dragon.