CLAS 160D2 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Greek Mythology, Comparative Mythology, Religious Text
19 Sep 2016
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Motivation for de ning myth explain its origin and explain its power. The word myth comes from greek mythos = word , speech , . Division of our textbook based on this distinction. From once upon a time to happily ever after . Fairytales a sub-category: short; morality and magic. Good examples of overlap: odyssey and argonautika. Aristotle: the plot of a play, hence association with ction. A story embodying eternal values can be created from and factual events. Stories can also be created historically and still be of universal meaning. Science may grow obsolete, [but] art is eternal . True myth primarily concerned with the gods, religion, and the supernatural. A study of comparative mythology would be primarily concerned with material from religious text. Greek and roman religious ceremonies given authority by myths. Ritualist theory of the origin of mythology leans heavily on this aspect of myth. Delphi - most important temple/religious center to the greeks.
