Greek & Roman

Mythology

The Beginning

The Purpose of Myths

• Entertaining stories with a serious purpose• They were to explain the nature of the universe or

how people should behave in a particular culture or society

• Demonstrates our potential for greatness no matter how humble one’s circumstances are

Types of Myths• Origin Myths-how the

universe, humans, and agriculture came to be

-creator-god(s) -universal roles-not all cultures are concerned

with the origin of gods; they emphasize creation of their specific people

• Heroic Myths-teach members of a culture their morals/values, their place in the universe (humanism) & nationalism

-adventure stories that humans can relate to

-show strength & weakness through choices and actions

-immortality is achieved by leaving a lasting impression

-common theme is desire vs. social responsibility

What’s Homer Got to Do With It?

Literary Analysis:The Archetypal Perspective

• A recognizable pattern in literature for plot design, character types, &/or images

• Although diverse, these patterns reflect universal themes across cultures

(based on Carl Jung & Joseph Campbell’s work)

• Common Themes: death-rebirth, heaven-hell, rebel-hero, good-evil…

The Epic: Storytelling Structure Style

Content

Hero: An Archetype

• Who do we consider heroes in today’s society?

• What makes a person a hero?

• Who is your hero?

Hero: An Archetype

The Hero’s Journey: “The Pattern of Human

Experience”

“An odyssey, or journey, is a process of self-discovery and self-integration, of maintaining balance and harmony in our lives. As with any process of growth and change, a journey can be confusing and painful, but it brings opportunities to develop confidence, perspective and understanding”-Reg Harris

The Odyssey

The Hero’s Journey: “The Pattern of Human

Experience”

I. Separation

II. Initiation & Transformation

III. Return

RITE OF PASSAGE

The Hero’s Journey: 8 Steps Process

Return

Atonement

Revelation

Transformation

The Abyss

The Challenges

The Threshold

The Call

I. Separation: The Call

• Invites us/the character into adventure

• Opportunity to face the unknown and gain something physically or spiritually

• We may be willing or unwilling to go forth

• Reclaim something that was taken from us

• Quest to find what is missing from our life

• Restore honor• Fight for the rights of

members in our society

I. Separation: Crossing the Threshold

THRESHOLD

“Jumping off point” Guardians(Often our thoughts & behaviors)

Helpers/Mentor

Protect us from harm or help us to

succeed

Provide assistance, directionor a divine gift

Physical unknown ora psychological unknown

II. Initiation: The Challenges

• Physical or psychological

• They force us to change and grow

• Increase in difficulty so one builds skill, maturity & confidence

• Have to differentiate from helpers & “tempters”

• Strike our greatest weaknesses: fear, doubt, lack of knowledge, poorer skills

• Acknowledge & face the weaknesses to change them from “demons” to become a strength

The Challenges

II. Initiation: Into the Abyss

Surrender to the adventure

Possibility of failurebecause we are human

Face our greatestfear alone

II. Initiation: Transformation &

RevelationRevelation=Transformation-a sudden dramatic shift in

the way one thinks, and this brings about an emotional & psychological (and sometimes physical) change

• One must conquer the abyss in order to have a transformative experience

• One is different than how he first set out on the journey

• Death-birth: part of us must die so we can be reborn

II. Initiation: The Atonement

Atonement• At one with ourselves

(A new sense of self: reborn)

• The imbalance which sent us on the journey has been corrected

III. Return

• Return to everyday life• Discovery of our true gift• Begin contributing to our society

III. The Return

• Returns to everyday life• Discovery of our true gift• Begins contributing to society & shares new

message

• The message may be rejected• The new “self” might be corrupted & return to

who he was before the journey• Frustrated that those around him do not have

the same level of awareness

Mapping the Journey

Challenge of Temptation: Calypso & Circe

Intellectual Challenges: Polyphemus

Challenges of Choice: Scylla & Charybdis

The Return

Return: Fate vs. Free will

Conclusion

The Perspectives

C. LEVI-STRAUSSAnthropologist –how

People solved problems

PAUL RADINNeed to survive economically

& rulers instill fearFor their$ benefit

MERCEA ELIADEMyths are the

Essence of religion&Rel. experiences

JUNG& CAMPBELLAll myths are Universal; we

are all connected

FREUDExpression ofan individuals

fears & desires

Symbols of the

environment

Perspectives

The Principal Gods-The Titans

Chaos

Gaea

Ourea

Pontus

Uranus

300 Hundred-Handed Giants

3 Cyclops

13 Titans

Epimetheus

Prometheus

Atlas

Rhea

Selene

Helios

Oceanus

Origin Myth Activity

• ReadChinese

Genesis Bushmen

Structure of Origin Myths

1. A narrated story containing a change of circumstances

2. No one has a recollection or source stating where & when the story began

3. The significance of the story impacts how we all should live today

4. Claims that it has taken place-it is factual5. Other people outside of the story’s origin have

opposing views6. There is no known author

http://www.stenudd.com/myth/mythlogics.htm