IM - Introduction to Mythology Module Overview
Introduction to Mythology Module Overview
Introduction
Can characters show their faces in countless works of literature? Can themes run throughout a series of genres and cultures? Both of these questions can be answered with one word - Mythology. Mythology explores the origin of the archetype (a character who displays common patterns of behavior, upon which others are copied). Mythology can also explain the origins of traditions, faiths, and cultural values. In this unit, we will touch the tip of the iceberg and gain an understanding of the reaches of Mythology. Be prepared to journey through all parts of the world in order to see what part Mythology plays in each area and culture.
Essential Questions
- How does Mythology shape history?
- How does Mythology reach across cultures and languages?
- Where does Mythology touch daily life?
Key Terms
Myth: nothing more than a set of stories that suggest a deeper meaning and that help a specific culture to express and explain its views, to examine its own behavior, and to understand the phenomena around it
Legend: narratives about persons, places, or events that are based on history or folk tales
Marchen: a fairy tale that contains supernatural characteristics
Archetype: an original pattern or model
Collective unconscious: part of the psyche present in all individuals; not based on personal experience
Monomyth: Joseph Campbell's idea that the hero's journey is a basic pattern seen in stories from all parts of the world
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