What does mythology What does mythology mean to you?mean to you?

What is Mythology?What is Mythology?

• It’s the study of “Myths” and MYTHS are stories about supernatural beings, in early times handed down orally from one generation to another---

• Mythology includes a collection of stories about a given people - - such as Greeks, Romans, Celts, etc.

Does this sound familiar yet?

Myths attempt to explain such Myths attempt to explain such things as…things as…

(1) NATURE– Where did the earth come from?

• heavens• seasons• geography

(2) MAN- where did man come from?

• his life• his victories• his defeats• his end

(3) GODS– Where did the gods

come from?• number of gods• role of gods

KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

• The chief source of knowledge of ancient myths is from LITERATURE!– Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey – Ovid’s Metamorphoses– Virgil’s Aeneid

Why is mythology important?Why is mythology important?

• because it’s interesting and entertaining• shows how the ancient people viewed their

world• and because you’ll find CONSTANT

REFERENCES to mythology all your life…• Take a look at these modern references…

IN LITERATUREIN LITERATURE

• Sophocles Oedipus• Shakespeare Troilus and Cressida

IN MUSICIN MUSIC

• GLUCK Orpheus and Eurydice

• MOZART Jupiter symphony

IN THE ARTSIN THE ARTS

• The Renaissance saw the re-introduction of myths into various art forms

Sandro Botticelli, 1445-1510.Venus and Mars(69K GIF).

Panel (c. 1483). Image courtesy of the Trustees, The National Gallery, London.

IN ADVERTISINGIN ADVERTISING

• Brand names based on mythological characters indicate high quality:– “Atlas” cement strong– “Midas” mufflers save money– Ford “Mercury” cars – speed

IN HISTORYIN HISTORY

• produce facts about ancient people not discoverable through formal research

• cite causes for war• show religious beliefs

of an ancient people

IN LANGUAGEIN LANGUAGE

• Mythology is the source of such words as:– JANITOR Janos– MARTIAL Mars– MUSEUM Muses– VOLCANO Vulcan– Days of the Week Thors Day– Expressions By Jove!

Mythology is ESPECIALLY Mythology is ESPECIALLY interesting to…interesting to…

• Psychologists see expression of subconscious needs

• Theologians study religions and myths to understand people

• Students of Literature who must understand myths to understand poetry and other works

And EVERY COUNTRY has its And EVERY COUNTRY has its OWN SET OF MYTHSOWN SET OF MYTHS

• Celtic myths • Egyptian myths• Aztec and Mayan

myths (think Survivor!)

AND OTHER RELATED FIELDSAND OTHER RELATED FIELDS

• LEGENDS

• FOLK TALES

• MODERN MYTHS

SO WHAT?SO WHAT?

• Sooo…MYTHOLOGY touches us in some way

almost daily. It leads to a better understanding of our world and the people of ancient times. You’ll find many books of myths and about myths in your public library.

• Toronto Argonauts…

• Wawa, Ontario– a city so nice, we

named it twice!

• Titan Atlas – carried the heavens on his shoulders

• today, we read an atlas to find the location of geographical sites

• The Junos – not only a Canadian music award, but a reference to Juno, the goddess of marriage and the month of June

Are you myth informed?Are you myth informed?

THE END…