CLAS 2000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Artistic Merit, Max Müller, Simone Weil

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: CLAS 2000
• Professor: John Walsh

Document Summary

Theories of the meaning of myth and interpreations = provide basis for a hyptothesis about its origins. No single theory of myth can cover all kings of myths: traditional tales is matched by the variety of their origins and signficances; no monolithic theory = can succed in = universal applicability. Specialist = not satisfied with broad interpreations of the term myth; true myth from other varieties; distinctions in terminology; legend, saga, folktale, fairytale. True myth, myth proper, and saga or legend. True myth or proper myth= gods and human kinds relations with them. Legend and saga = prceitple relationship to history; however fanciful or imaginative, it has its roots in historical facts. Fairytales; type of folktale; shortimagative traditional tales with hig moral and magincal content: graham anderson; id fairytalesi n acient world = most enlightening. Impossible to distinguish, fairytale made for the young. Rare = uncontiamted example of any one of these forms.