LIT 101

• Myth


  • Tells the ancestors and the origin of human and the world, the gods, supernatural beings and heroes with super-human god-given powers
  • The purpose of myth is to explain matters in "the science of pre-scientific," this include origin of nuances of long-held customs or explain natural events
  • Explain a society and its concerns and values, the various aspects of the human conditions: good and evil; the meaning of suffering
  • They provide models of behavior in times of crisis
• Legend


  • Narratives that often blend elements of truth with fiction
  • May convey moral lessons or societal values
• Legend


  • Atlantis
  • The Legend of King Arthur
• Fairy tales


  • Stories often feature magical elements, mythical creatures and enchanting setting
  • Unlike legends, fairy tales are usually purely fictional
• Fairy tales


  • Cinderella
• Supernatural


  • Stories focus explicitly on the mysterious and unexplainable
  • Involve ghosts, vampires, werewolves, demons, or other paranormal entities
• Supernatural


  • White lady
• Folklore


  • Encompasses a broader range of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, stories and practices that are passed down orally or through other informal means within a community or culture
  • Includes not only myths but also legends, folktales, proverbs, rituals, customs and other expressions of traditional culture (cultural expressions, festival, art, sculpture)
• Myth


  Tells the ancestors and the origin of human and the world, the gods, supernatural beings and heroes with super-human god-given powers
• Myth


  The purpose of myth is to explain matters in "the science of pre-scientific," this include origin of nuances of long-held customs or explain natural events
• Myth


  Explain a society and its concerns and values, the various aspects of the human conditions: good and evil; the meaning of suffering

  They provide models of behavior in times of crisis
• Legend


  Truth + fiction w/ moral lesson

  These are narratives that often blend elements of truth with fiction

  They may also convey moral lessons or societal values
• Legend


  • Atlantis, The Legend of King Arthur
• Fairy tales


  Magical element, fiction

  These stories often feature magical elements, mythical creatures and enchanting setting

  Unlike legends, fairy tales are usually purely fictional
• Fairy tales


  • Cinderella
• Supernatural


  Horror, paranormal

  These stories focus explicitly on the mysterious and unexplainable

  These involve ghosts, vampires, werewolves, demons, or other paranormal entities
• Supernatural


  • White lady
• Folklore


  Encompasses a broader range of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, stories and practices that are passed down orally or through other informal means within a community or culture
• Folklore includes


  • Myths

  Legends

  Folktales

  Proverbs

  Rituals

  Customs

  Other expressions of traditional culture (cultural expressions, festival, art, sculpture)
• Folklore


  The study of human creativity within specific cultural and social contexts, including how such expressions are linked to political, religious, ethnic, regional, and other forms of group identity
• Mythology


  Tends to involve sacred or divine elements and is often associated with religious beliefs

  Is a subset of folklore, focusing specifically on sacred narratives and beliefs

  Often involves gods, heroes, and supernatural beings
• Folklore


  Encompasses a wider range of everyday beliefs and practices

  Includes a broader array of traditional expressions beyond myths

  It includes a variety of expressive forms like folk music, dance, and material culture
• Basic Attributes of Mythology and Folklore

  • Cultural - to understand our culture

  Sacred - commemorate our gods, guide how to worship

  Didactic - teach about culture

  Foundation - provide basic rules (Ex: Belle & Beast, Cupid & Psyche)
• Types of Mythology


  • Etiological Myths (origin)

  Chthonic Myths (explain destruction)

  Psychology Myths (personalized myths that tell why people feel a specific way, and show emotions and lessons)

  Historical Myths (may involve real historical figures, events, or places, but they are often infused with symbolic or fictitious elements)
• Etiological Myths


  Aetion (reason, explanation)

  These explains why specific things are the way they are or came to be
• Etiological Myths


  • Ang Alamat ng Pinya

  Malakas at si Maganda
• Chthonic Myths


  Explain destruction

  Khthonios of the earth / underworld (Hades)

  These myths served to explain destruction, death, the mysteries of the afterlife and the nature world
• Chthonic Myths


  • Reincarnation, Ragnarok

  In Bikol, Kasanaan, evil doer and Sidapa, God

  Bakunawa, a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology. It is believed to be the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind
• Psychology Myths


  These are more personalized myths that tell why people feel a specific way, and show emotions and lessons
• Psychology Myths


  • In Japan mythology, they have Yokai which is a spirit and if you don't act normal, they will assume that you are possessed by a Yokai.
• Historical Myths


  May involve real historical figures, events, or places, but they are often infused with symbolic or fictitious elements
• The Great Themes of Myth

  • Tension between Opposing Forces in the Universe

  A Struggle for Power

  Fate and Prophecy

  A Quest or Completion of a Task

  Love serves as a prevalent and powerful theme in myth stories, manifesting in various forms and playing diverse roles within mythological narratives
• Tension between Opposing Forces in the Universe


  Myths are often structured around the tensions between opposing forces in the universe, like light versus dark and good versus evil.

  Often the main characters in myths have responsibility for resolving conflicts between these opposing forces
• A Struggle for Power


  It revolves around authority, influence, or dominance, often among gods, supernatural beings, or mortal heroes.

  This struggle may be a result of desire for control, vanity, or jealousy.

  Often this struggle ends with punishment or even death.

  Source of power: money, authority and privilege
• Fate and Prophecy


  This theme explores the idea that certain events and outcomes are predetermined by divine will, cosmic forces, or prophetic visions.

  Characters in myths often find themselves bound by the will of the gods, compelled to fulfill prophesied roles or face the consequences of defying fate.
• A Quest or Completion of a Task


  This theme involves the journeys, trials, and accomplishments of heroes as they undertake extraordinary endeavors in pursuit of a specific goal or objective.

  The hero's ability to overcome these challenges demonstrates their growth and development.
• Love serves as a prevalent and powerful theme in myth stories, manifesting in various forms and playing diverse roles within mythological narratives


  • Mortal Love Stories

  Love and Sacrifice

  Love as a Moral Force

  Love as a Source of Conflict

  Love as a Curse or Punishment
• Mortal Love Stories


  These love stories may involve star-crossed lovers, forbidden romances, or heroic quests undertaken in the name of love.
• Mortal Love Stories


  • Trojan war, Helen and Paris
• Love and Sacrifice


  In myth and folk literature, characters may make personal sacrifices or endure hardships out of love for another, demonstrating the depth of their devotion and commitment.