Foundations of Mythology Short Answers
HUM/105

June 27, 2013
Instructor Name

Foundations of Mythology Short Answers • How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words. According to Harper (2010), "a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. " Dictionary.com defines myth as a traditional or legendary story. The word myth is used to address what is real and what is not real in academic context. For example; some traditional and legendary stories are Santa Claus, St. Nick, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. These stories became a part of many people everyday lives. The myths of these stories were told to young children to get them to understand rather than give them the full truth in details. A myth is a fairytale that is told to children to create a dramatic and more exciting effect. • Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind. Myths from around the world or universe are similar in many ways but according to the different cultures, the individual can have different beliefs. The way myths are presented in movies is the way the media relates with one another on beliefs and the occurrence of history, which does not concern culture. Ancestors are the reason why myths are connected to many cultures because they were passed down from one generation to the next. • What is the relationship between belief, knowledge, mythology, and religion? Where do mythology and religion intersect? Where do they diverge? Think about the function of myth and religion in helping human beings cope with change, suffering, loss, and death. According to aislezone.com (2013), Religion and mythology differ, but have overlapping aspects. Both terms refer to systems of concepts that are of high importance to a certain community, making statements concerning the supernatural or sacred. Generally, mythology is considered one component or aspect of religion. Religion is the broader term: besides mythological aspects, it includes aspects of ritual, morality, theology, and mystical experience. A given mythology is almost always associated with a certain religion, such as Greek mythology with Ancient Greek religion. Disconnected from its religious system, a myth may lose its immediate relevance to the community and evolve away from sacred importance into a legend or folktale. When you think of myth, you may think of stories about heroes who are sons of gods (making them demigods) with either incredible strength or a god on hand to help the demigods in amazing adventures against the evils of the world. There is much more to myth than the heroic legends. Myth serves as explanation accepted by the people who share the myth. Very basic aspects of the world around us that myth explains are the course of the day and night or seasons, the mysteries of life and death, and the creation of everything. • How would you defend mythology’s relevance in contemporary culture? Think about familial and cultural traditions. Also, consider how mythology is used in the arts and in advertising to typify human experience. Mythology’s relevance in contemporary culture plays a huge role. Families and many cultures have some sort of mythical tale. Weather the legends is Factual or not, it is relevant that mythology be a part of all cultures. A tale that was told to many people was about the “chupacabra” According to the dictionary.com the chupacabra is i a goat sucking animal that is said to be unknown to science and systemically killing animals in places like Puerto Rico, Miami, Nicaragua, Chile, and Mexico. Mythology is used in the arts and in advertising human experience by representing each human’s beliefs. Each human lives by a different ritual and practice whether there is evidence to prove the facts on how they live it all begins with a myth.

References

myth. Dictionary.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth (accessed: June 27, 2013). LEONARD, S. (n.d.). The study of mythology. Retrieved from: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content ENCYLOPEDIA.COM. (n.d.). Myth.