Hum 105 WORLD MYTHOLOGY
Hum 105~World Mythology
Assignment One
How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words.
The word myth is used most popularly in tales and stories. These tales and stories have been passed down from generation to generation and are based on some truth, but mostly an idea or common theme. The statement “It’s a myth” means that a tale or story may be based on some truth, but that it is also based on fiction. For example, if one of your friends told you that they saw a UFO it would be hard to believe them because you did not witness this event and perhaps because your friend does not have any tangible proof of it’s existence. In contrast, while the term myth can be used in a variety of academic setting, its main purpose is to analyze different cultures and their ways of thinking. Within the academic setting, a myth is known as a true fact and over time has been changed through the many different views within a society.
Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind.
I believe different cultures address similar themes as a way to explain a culture's origin, its history and even it’s heroes. For decades myths have been passed on and have become an integral part of many cultures. While some mythologists may say that myths are simply mistranslated mutations or accounts of historical references, it is much more likely that myths were perhaps important tools used throughout the different societies to preserve history in a way and maybe even their values and culture. In studying, while I have found that there are many myths indigenous to that area, they are also unique to the very cultures
Assignment One
How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words.
The word myth is used most popularly in tales and stories. These tales and stories have been passed down from generation to generation and are based on some truth, but mostly an idea or common theme. The statement “It’s a myth” means that a tale or story may be based on some truth, but that it is also based on fiction. For example, if one of your friends told you that they saw a UFO it would be hard to believe them because you did not witness this event and perhaps because your friend does not have any tangible proof of it’s existence. In contrast, while the term myth can be used in a variety of academic setting, its main purpose is to analyze different cultures and their ways of thinking. Within the academic setting, a myth is known as a true fact and over time has been changed through the many different views within a society.
Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind.
I believe different cultures address similar themes as a way to explain a culture's origin, its history and even it’s heroes. For decades myths have been passed on and have become an integral part of many cultures. While some mythologists may say that myths are simply mistranslated mutations or accounts of historical references, it is much more likely that myths were perhaps important tools used throughout the different societies to preserve history in a way and maybe even their values and culture. In studying, while I have found that there are many myths indigenous to that area, they are also unique to the very cultures
Bibliography: Sheila Stroup, T. T. (2013). SAVING GRACE. Times - Picayune.