Classical Studies 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Epic Records, Sky Deity, Theogony

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 1000
• Professor: Christopher Brown

Document Summary

Theoretical approaches to the problem of definition of myth continued from week 10. Last week: theory 1 all myths are about nature; theory 2 all myths are explanatory (aetiological: myths as charters. This theory sees myths as charters and takes myth from the work of nature into human society. All myths serve as founding documents for customs, institutions, and beliefs: there is an explanatory element but it is more practical and focuses on social institutions instead of nature. In a traditional society, every custom or institution tends to be validated or confirmed by a myth: explains why we do what we do (ex. Why does a king always have to belong to a particular clan; why does that class possess the richest land: myths help to explain and validate something within the society. Divine participation in the founding of a particular institution. This is somewhat a sub-species of theory 2. This is a different than the first 3.