Myths: The Validity Of The Word Myth

This paper will discuss how the word myth is used popularly to often describe a story that is considered a legend. In many cases, some people believe the legends to be factual, although it may not be true. Myths are passed down or described from person to person in different ways or based on individual or cultural beliefs of those who believe the legends to be true. Each myth is used to describe a legend or a widely exaggerated story that some may question the validity of the story or specific events that occurred. Individuals that choose to believe in the myths because they have their own interpretations of those myths. Myths, like any story may shift or change with the world because a person’s understanding or interpretation of the story.
There are some of today’s myths that reference or have similarities to the myths of Greek mythology. The statement is that a myth means it is a story or legend that could be based on true historical facts or be completely false. Consequently, different people have different meanings for myths and they can mean different things. A myth in some illustrations speak of a story where there was a great injustice to a group of people or specific cause and there is usually a heroic figure. That figure in most myths fights against the injustice such as Superman and Batman who fight against crime. Some myths are about stories of morality, forgiveness or virtue. The meaning of a myth can and does have a different meaning to individuals and cultures. Because no two cultures will share the same views or interpretations of a myth.
Myths used in academic context
Myths are use in the academic context by scholars to debate how myths function in our lives today.
There are conflicting meanings that has caused some scholars to abandon the word “myth” as they considered it to be meaningless (www.WordPress.com, 2013). Myths are used in the academic context to describe stories of heroic figures or gods that took place before many of the origins of the world that exist today. It tells about the mythology of Greek gods such as, Zeus, the thunder and sky God, who was the ruler of Gods on Mount Olympus, his brother Hades, king of the underworld and brother, Poseidon, God of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses. The legend states that Zeus along with his siblings overthrew their father Cronus and his Titans. He later won a draw between himself and his brothers to claim the title and succeed after their father (www.greekmythology, 2016). A myth is a story passed down from generation to generation that depicts a hero or includes supernatural beings in various cultures, a folk tale that may be use to scare children to be obedient and used as a superstitious war
tactic.
Common mythological themes across different cultures
There are many common mythological themes across different cultures that regardless of the culture represent the same meanings of forgiveness, virtue or morality. In Asian cultures, of the Chinese, Japanese and Thais have a tradition about the rabbit and the moon. Subsequently, what the rabbit is doing does differ in each culture but each agree the rabbit is using the same concepts to complete his tasks in each tradition regardless of the differences in the interpretations (www.colorq.org, 2016). These folklores or traditions are part of what each culture accept as true, although many traditions based on the geographic location may have similarities. Myths from different cultures around the world address similar or universal themes despite the differences in the plots and the constancy and connection in each culture one can find some familiarity in the themes from each culture. Because individuals regardless of the culture want to understand their purpose and what they contribute to the universe. Some of the themes can be seen in today’s myths as they still give people something to believe in and gives them hope about living a moral life. For example, every culture has a belief in a different God, but the purpose of each God is the same (www.academia.edu, 2016). Individual’s today as in ancient times still hope for a hero to save the nation from debt, crime, and drugs.
How myths explain the unknown and tribulations of mankind
The myths of Greek mythology can explain many of the unknown and tribulations of mankind today.
One could say that the crimes or deceptions of the Titans and Greek Gods such as Prometheus who defied Zeus by stealing fire and giving it to man. Can be compared to the despair and pain caused today by the man-made fire through the manufacturing, distribution and selling of firearms and handguns. One could also compare the cursing of man by Zeus of giving man an evil thing which was woman (Prometheus in New York, 2009). There are similarities in the myth of Prometheus, which tells how Zeus in a fit of anger planned misery for the human race because of Prometheus deception to the curse God put on man. When Adam and Eve disobeyed him and eat the fruit from the tree of Knowledge. The curse in some ways can be considered misery as man will work until he dies and returns back to the earth and woman will suffer agonizing pain in childbirth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, myths have different meanings and plots in different cultures, they are interpreted different by individuals and culture, but there are still some similarities in the myths of today and those of ancient times. As a myth is considered fact to all who believe and live one’s life by the values or beliefs depicted in those myths. Subsequently, myths provide individuals something that will either inspire them or cause them to doubt one’s purpose in the universe. However, because there is no factual proof for some myths they are
considered folk tales that entertain and give people a sense of hope