chapter 3: myth and the origins of the humanities the art of being human 9 th edition
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 3:
Myth and the Origins of the Humanities
THE ART OF BEING HUMAN
9TH EDITION
MYTHS AND MYTHOLOGYMyths –
Tales and beliefs transmitted from generation to generation containing psychological truths or fulfilling some deep-rooted need.
Mythology –
The collective myths of a specific culture or group of cultures.
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ARCHETYPES IN MYTHOLOGY
Archetypes are
mystic characters, events, symbols and buried
assumptions.
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COMMON ARCHETYPES The monomyth – the myth of the hero
David, by Donatello, 1425-1430 CE
COMMON ARCHETYPES Continued
The power of magic The power of words The power of numbers
Ictinus and Callicrates, PARTHENON, Acropolis, Athens, ca 448-432 BC (view from the northwest)
COMMON ARCHETYPES Continued
The circle The journey The garden
Wheel of Time, Tibetan sand mandala.
MYTHS AS EXPLANATIONS
Myths are ways to understand the mysteries of the universe
and pain and hardships of living in it.
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EXPLANATIONS Creation
"The Birth of Venus" Sandro Botticelli, 1482
EXPLANATIONS The natural world
Bella Coola Eagle Memorial Pole
EXPLANATIONS Human suffering
Laocoon and his sons in the Vatican1st or 2nd century BCE
EXPLANATIONSThe doomed family
Interior of an 1800’s Tlingit Chief’s home, called the “Whale House.”
MYTHS OF CHILDHOOD Reassurance of safety and love A recognition of stereotypical gender roles,
class distinctions, and the notion that good and evil are based on physical appearance
A recognition of the importance of names A recognition of the dark side
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POPULAR MYTHOLOGYPopular mythology identifies and evaluates
certain thought and emotional patterns.
Common phrases: What goes around comes around. All you need is love. It’s destiny. Isn’t that just like a man/woman?
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HOW MYTHS INFLUENCE THE HUMANITIES
A knowledge of mythology enhances our understanding and appreciation of what is
seen, heard or read.
Example:William Butler Yeats(1865-1939)
“Leda and the Swan”
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