This document discusses the key differences between myths and folktales. Myths are stories that are part of a culture's religious beliefs and aim to explain phenomena or aspects of life. They often involve gods and goddesses and are used to teach morality. Folktales, on the other hand, are secular stories told for entertainment that may also teach cultural values. Both myths and folktales are expressions of a culture's beliefs and behaviors that are passed down orally across generations. The document also outlines common archetypes found in origin myths from different cultures around the world.

1. International
Folktales
and Myths

3. M
YTH
S:
THE WORLD'S OLDEST STORIES
•From the Greek word muthos, "story"
•Origins are uncertain because they are
anonymous, generated and perpetuated
by cultures through an oral tradition
•Not intended to be recorded history of
events, but of a people and culture,
values, and beliefs.

4. Specific
Characteristics of
Myths

5. •Explain the origins of the universe and life
•Explain a natural phenomenon, why the
sky is blue, what are stars
•Explain the human condition such as flaws,
suffering, death
•Explain these elements through the
involvement of a pantheon of deities (gods
and goddesses), providing a system of
religious beliefs and practices
•Explain historical events
•Teach morality
•Passed along by leaders and priests

6. Folktales
• Stories told by common people
• Purpose was primarily entertainment
• Sometimes taught cultural values and
behaviors
• Served to inspire the ordinary person
• Forms of folktales—legends, fairytales,
fables, yarns

7. Specific
Characteristics of
Folktales

8. •Stories told by the “folk” or common people
•Passed along from generation to generation
•Unlike myths, folktales are secular, not
associated with religious rituals and beliefs.
•Often serve as entertainment, but teach
social rituals or behaviors
•Folk heroes tend to be common people
without magical powers.
•Stories often include magical creatures, not
gods and goddesses.
•Help people believe that even ordinary folk
can become great (inspirational)

10. Mythsare
a direct expression of a
culture'sreligiousbeliefs.
Folktalesare
a direct expression of a
culture'svaluesand
behavioral expectations.

11. Origin Myths & Archetypes
Stories of how events, actions, or objects
came to exist, featuring common archetypes
found universally in myths from around the
world.
Archetype: a pattern or model that
serves as the basis for different but
related versions of a character, plot,
or theme.

12. Familiar archetypes of origin myths
Creator figure
Water
Golden Age
Trickster
Talking animals
Sibling rivals
Fall from grace / loss of paradise
Great destruction
Earth diver
Sibling mates
Female earth
Creation from body parts
"Perfect numbers" -
2, 3, 4, 7, 12

13. Archetype Seen in:
Fall from grace Adam and Eve
Gilgamesh
Jurassic Park
Trickster the serpent
Bugs Bunny
Q
Great Destruction the Flood
Terminator II