Purpose of Myth

Purpose of Myth

1. Name 4 fundamental questions that myths address.
*What is the nature of the universe in which I live?
*Who am I?
*How do I relate to that universe?
*How much control do I have over my own life?




2. Name 4 themes in world mythology.
*The first parents are often the Gods of Sky & Earth.
*The Creator-God usually fashions the first human beings from parts of the Earth.
*The Gods destroy at least one world of mortals by causing a great flood of mortals.
*Heroes are children of Gods who have an unusual birth, possess extraordinary strength and kill monsters.

 3. What is the beginning of the universe for most major cultures?
*The Gods/God creates the world and brings life to the Earth.

4. What do hero myths and epics teach members of society?
*They teach society the appropriate behaviors and values of that culture. Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society. 

5. Why do ordinary people identify with heroes?
*They put their needs aside to identify with the greater good, and have a human flaw.

6.What is the foundation of the Matriarchal Society?
*The foundation of the Matriarchal Society was with a great goddess of Earth who was supreme to all.

7. What is Sigmund Freud's view of myths?
*Sigmund Freud and his followers viewed myths as the expression of the individuals unconscious wishes, fears, and drives.

8.Myths demonstrate that people possess...
*Myths demonstrate that people possess the intellectual capacity to understand the world in which they live.