Myths are ancient stories that have been handed down through oral tradition to explain phenomena like the seasons, the natural world, life and death, and relationships. While myths may seem fantastical, they carry important social meanings and lessons. Common elements appear across myths from different cultures, such as creation stories involving birth, death and rebirth by supreme beings. Studying myths helps understand allusions and connects people across time and place by revealing our shared human experiences.

1. Introduction to
Mythology

2. “
“Old myths, old gods, old heroes
have never died. They are only
sleeping at the bottom of our
mind, waiting for our call. We
have need for them. They
represent the wisdom of our
race.”
Stanley Kunitz, Poet
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3. What are Myths?
❧ Myths are ancient stories that have been handed down through history often
via oral tradition. Myths teach moral lessons that usually explain how
something came to be: Eg. the changing seasons, the workings of the world, life
and death, heroes, relationships, etc.
❧ Myths rely heavily on the imagination. The events in a myth are usually
impossible, however, the account tries to send a message that carries an
important social meaning.
❧ Myths can be considered a guide that tells us essentially how to live more
richly.
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4. What are Myths?
❧ While a myth may seem like a fairy tale or made up story, a myth has
a deep profound meaning so it is not just a simple story.
❧ Myths are ways for us humans to make sense of the world we live in,
no matter when or where we are.
❧ It’s just an added bonus that some myths make absolutely awesome
stories, too.
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5. “
In terms of the mechanics of
story, myth is an intriguing one
because we didn't make myth
up; myth is an imprinture of the
human condition.
Baz Luhrmann
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6. 6
Myths sought to explain the
unexplainable to our ancestors.
Why are there are four seasons?

7. What to Look for when reading a myth?
The Moral Lesson
What is the myth
trying to teach us?
An Explanation
Does it explain how
something came to
be? If so, what?
Connections
How does this myth
connect to other
myths, modern day
literature, or our
daily lives?
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8. Universal Myths of the Ancient World
No matter where you’re from, you have probably heard your fair share
of myths. From stuff like the legend of King Arthur, the suspicious death
of Elvis and Tupac, the mischievous gods of Ancient Greece to the
epics of Hindu mythology, just about every culture comes with a set of
stories that most other cultures call foreign or strange.
But then there are the universal myths—myths that crop up repeatedly
in cultures separated by hundreds of miles and thousands of years.
The similarities between these myths give us the feeling that we really
aren’t that different from each other.

9. Creation Myths
Any good creation myth contains several of
these common elements:
● Birth - death - rebirth
● Mother - Father
● Family - children/siblings
● Supreme beings - immortal, powerful
● Creation from above or below
● Diver myths
● The relationship between animals and
humans
● An instruction, a sin, and a consequence
● Gods creating suffering

10. “
Myths are stories that express
meaning, morality or
motivation. Whether they are
true or not is irrelevant.
Michael Shermer
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11. Why Study Myths?
❧ Studying myths helps us to
understand allusions in poetry,
literature, different cultures, as
well as the daily newspaper and
television.
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12. 12
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13. This is the world of…
Myths &
Legends

14. Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and released
these awesome resources for free:
❧ Background illustrated by Alex Monge for
SlidesCarnival
❧ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
❧ Photographs by Unsplash
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