Myths are sacred stories that attempt to explain the world and human experiences through traditional tales that may be partly factual or fictional. Myths typically discuss universal human concerns like birth, death, the afterlife, origins of humanity and the world, good and evil, and human nature. While details vary across cultures, myths often share similar archetypal themes that reflect collective human wisdom. Myths can act as warnings that address cultural norms and taboos and are still relevant to modern artists and storytellers.

1. Myths…
What are they and where do they come from?

2. Myths are:
Stories based on tradition
◦ Some factual
◦ Some completely fictional
Sacred tales that explain the world and man’s
experience
Attempted answers to the timeless questions
Sometimes merely reassurance for the
unexplainable natural phenomenon

3. What do Myths discuss?
Universalconcern of mankind
throughout history:
 Birth
 Death
 The afterlife
 The origin of man
 The origin of the world
 Good and evil
 The nature of man himself

4. Myths Across Cultures
Interesting point:
“A myth taps into a universal cultural narrative,
the collective wisdom of man” (www.pbs.org).
This is why we can find similar archetypal themes!

5. Similar what!?!?!?!??!
Archetype:
◦ Model, original-a very typical example
 Ex: father, mother, paradise, hero, women of power
Theme:
◦ Moral or lesson in a story
Archetypal Theme:
Typical morals or lessons found in myths,
stories, etc. no matter where it originated
ex: great floods, the afterlife, virgin births

6. Not always sunshine and roses!!!

7. Often act as warnings
◦ A guide to social norms
◦ Addressing cultural taboos such as:
 Incest
 Fratricide
 Greed

8. Are myths relevant to your life
today?
YES!
Artistsof every generation tweak the
myths, but the same basic pattern has
shown for thousands of years!
Example:
◦ Hero’s Journey: Star Wars, Last of the
Mohicians, Clash of the Titans, Harry Potter,
Adventures of Robin Hood

9. So…
What are creation myths?

10. A story of how the Universe, Earth, and life
came to be!
Represent moral, religious, and spiritual
beliefs of individual cultures