*A myth is a traditional story that serves to explain some phenomenon of nature.

*A myth is a traditional story that serves to explain some phenomenon of nature.

*Almost every culture has a mythology!*Almost every culture has a mythology!

*Mythology is a body or collection of myths belonging to a culture of people.

*Mythology is a body or collection of myths belonging to a culture of people.

What is a myth? What is a myth?

There is not one single definition that completely explains the term “myth.”

• A myth is a story based on tradition and is usually fictional.

• It represents the beliefs and experiences of the culture.

• Myths often attempt to explain the mysteries of life.

There is not one single definition that completely explains the term “myth.”

• A myth is a story based on tradition and is usually fictional.

• It represents the beliefs and experiences of the culture.

• Myths often attempt to explain the mysteries of life.

*The word “myth” comes from the Greek word “mythos,” which means “word of mouth.”

*The word “myth” comes from the Greek word “mythos,” which means “word of mouth.”

*Gods are supernatural immortals having special powers over the lives of humans and the course of nature.

*Gods are supernatural immortals having special powers over the lives of humans and the course of nature.

*A female god is a goddess.

*A female god is a goddess.

*A demi-god is a lesser god, a

minor deity; the offspring of a human being and a god or

goddess.

*A demi-god is a lesser god, a

minor deity; the offspring of a human being and a god or

goddess.

*A mortal is someone who will eventually die.

*A mortal is someone who will eventually die.

*Gods are immortal; they are deathless, living forever.

*Gods are immortal; they are deathless, living forever.

*A hero is a man of great strength and courage,

favored by the gods and partly descended from them

- often worshipped after death.

*A hero is a man of great strength and courage,

favored by the gods and partly descended from them

- often worshipped after death.

*A prophecy is a prediction of the future under the influence of divine guidance.

*A prophecy is a prediction of the future under the influence of divine guidance.

*A deity is a god or goddess.*A deity is a god or goddess.

*Supernatural means existing or occurring outside the normal experience or knowledge of man; not explainable by the

known forces or laws of nature; attributed to a god.

*Supernatural means existing or occurring outside the normal experience or knowledge of man; not explainable by the

known forces or laws of nature; attributed to a god.

Most myths have shared common *characteristics.

Most myths have shared common *characteristics.

Volcanoes and earthquakes are a result of the fire-

breathing giants, who were buried under the earth by the gods, heaving and struggling

to free themselves.

Volcanoes and earthquakes are a result of the fire-

breathing giants, who were buried under the earth by the gods, heaving and struggling

to free themselves.

Natural phenomena are explained in most myths.

Natural phenomena are explained in most myths.

Zeus controlled Zeus controlled the skies, Hades the skies, Hades controlled the controlled the

Underworld, and Underworld, and Poseidon ruled the Poseidon ruled the

seas.seas.

Zeus controlled Zeus controlled the skies, Hades the skies, Hades controlled the controlled the

Underworld, and Underworld, and Poseidon ruled the Poseidon ruled the

seas.seas.

Since we have many natural phenomena to explain, a huge cast

of characters is required.

Since we have many natural phenomena to explain, a huge cast

of characters is required.

Many gods are used in each myth. Many gods are used in each myth.

Aphrodite wanted Aphrodite wanted all to feel the pangs all to feel the pangs of love.of love.

Aphrodite wanted Aphrodite wanted all to feel the pangs all to feel the pangs of love.of love.

Cupid shot his Cupid shot his arrows to make arrows to make

people fall in love.people fall in love.

Cupid shot his Cupid shot his arrows to make arrows to make

people fall in love.people fall in love.

Human emotions are part of the gods’ character.

Human emotions are part of the gods’ character.

Pegasus could Pegasus could fly.fly.

Pegasus could Pegasus could fly.fly.

Hermes had Hermes had winged feet and winged feet and a winged cap.a winged cap.

Hermes had Hermes had winged feet and winged feet and a winged cap.a winged cap.

Magic is a major part of myths. Magic is a major part of myths.

Prometheus was Prometheus was punished for punished for

stealing fire from stealing fire from the gods and giving the gods and giving

it to men.it to men.

Prometheus was Prometheus was punished for punished for

stealing fire from stealing fire from the gods and giving the gods and giving

it to men.it to men.

Good is rewarded and evil is punished. Good is rewarded and evil is punished.

*An ALLUSION is a casual reference to something. It is only used when the speaker or writer assumes that the

reader is culturally literate enough to understand the reference. Allusions are used to communicate meaning.

*An ALLUSION is a casual reference to something. It is only used when the speaker or writer assumes that the

reader is culturally literate enough to understand the reference. Allusions are used to communicate meaning.

Studying mythology increases our cultural

literacy.

Studying mythology increases our cultural

literacy.

*Cultural literacy is a knowledge and

understanding of the world in which you live.

*Cultural literacy is a knowledge and

understanding of the world in which you live.

Mythological allusions are in our literature -

Mythological allusions are in our literature -

““He shall present He shall present HerculesHercules in minority. in minority.

His enter and exit shall His enter and exit shall be strangling a snake.”be strangling a snake.”

Love’s Labor’s Lost Love’s Labor’s Lost (Act 5, Scene 1)(Act 5, Scene 1)

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

““He shall present He shall present HerculesHercules in minority. in minority.

His enter and exit shall His enter and exit shall be strangling a snake.”be strangling a snake.”

Love’s Labor’s Lost Love’s Labor’s Lost (Act 5, Scene 1)(Act 5, Scene 1)

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

“strength”

Mythological allusions are in our schools -

Mythological allusions are in our schools -

The Newman Smith The Newman Smith TrojansTrojans

The Newman Smith The Newman Smith TrojansTrojans

The Minnesota SpartansThe Minnesota SpartansThe Minnesota SpartansThe Minnesota Spartans

“determined”

“courage”

Mythological allusions are in our cities -

Mythological allusions are in our cities -

Athens, GeorgiaAthens, GeorgiaAthens, GeorgiaAthens, Georgia

Ceres, CaliforniaCeres, CaliforniaCeres, CaliforniaCeres, California

“a cultural center”

“strongcrops”

Neptune Beach, FloridaNeptune Beach, FloridaNeptune Beach, FloridaNeptune Beach, Florida “the sea”

Mythological allusions are in our products -

Mythological allusions are in our products -

Nike shoesNike shoesNike shoesNike shoes “speed”

Ajax cleanerAjax cleanerAjax cleanerAjax cleaner“rescuer”

Amazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.com“powerful”

How culturally literate are you?

I’ve heard I know what I have a fullthis term it is/what understandingbefore it means of it

• Nine-eleven (9/11)• Click your heels three times• Check and balances• Team Edward• Ctrl + Alt + Del• Civil Rights Movement• Starry Night• May the force be with you• Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies• Hogwarts

Give yourself one pointfor each check mark

Why does cultural literacy matter?

An allusion is a figure of speech that refers to a well-known place, event, piece of literature, myth, or work of art.

The more culturally literate you are, the better you can understand the meaning behind an allusion.