Mythology Notes

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Mythology Notes

• Mr. Lamar
• English 9

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A myth is

• A traditional story that attempts to explain a
  natural phenomenon or justify
  a certain practice or belief
  of a society

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Myths were made up by..

1. The Greeks
2. The Romans

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The only difference is

• The Gods and
• Goddesses
• have different
• names

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• Through the reading of myths, we learn that the 2
  most important qualities or characteristics a
  person could have are

strength
beauty
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• Myths were passed down from generation to
  generation.

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• Myths were often told orally and were not written
  down for many years.

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• Subsequently, many of the stories may have
  changed or evolved over time.

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Myths were written and told

• For
• entertainment

• To explain
• something that
• was mysterious to them

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Epic Poetry

• author begins by stating the theme and uses
  someone who is all-knowing and wise to help in
  understanding

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• the story starts in the
• middle of the action (in media res), and at a
  critical point the events that occurred before
  the opening are
• mentioned later

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• The Setting vast in scope, sometimes world
• wide and beyond
• The Hero a
• figure of great national or international
  importance

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• e. The Action involves
• heroic deeds in battle, such as a long hard
  journey or
• war

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• f. Point of View often in the third person
  (standing outside looking in on the action) with
  little comment or opinion.

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• The Supernatural the gods/supernatural beings
  take an interest and an active part in the
• great deeds
• performed in
• the epic

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More than just Gods

• There were nine muses.
• They are the daughters of
• Zeus (the king of gods) and Mnemosyne (god of
  memory)

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Cilo

• Muse of history

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Urania

• Muse of astronomy

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Melpomene

• Muse of tragedy

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Thalia

• Muse of comedy

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Terpsichore

• Muse of the dance

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Calliope

• Muse of epic poetry

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Erato

• Muse of love poetry

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Polyhymnia

• Muse of songs to the gods

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Euterpe

• Muse of lyric poetry

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Your Assignment

• Create your own Muse
• Think of an activity you enjoy, and create a muse
  to represent your inspiration
• Explain the Muses meaning

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Examples

• Muse of Football
• Muse of Scrapbooking
• Muse of Skateboarding
• Muse of Reading

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• On your card, create your Muse by
• 1. Give your muse a namebe creative!
• 2. Muse of ____
• 3. Create an image of your Muse
• 4. Write 2-4 sentences explaining why
• your Muse is useful and/or what your
• Muse does, etc