Purpose of Myth Review

1. 4 fundamental questions that myths address:

• What is the nature of the universe in which I live?
• How do I relate to that universe?
• How much control do I have over my own life?
• What must I do on order to survive?

2. 4 themes in world mythology:

• First parents are often the gods of sky and earth
• The creator god usually fashions the first humans from parts of the earth
• The gods destroy at least one mortal world by causing a great flood
• Heroes are children of gods who have unusual births, embark on journeys, have extroardinary strength, possess special weapons, and have unusual deaths

3.The beginning of the universe for most cultures begin with divine beings who separate earth and sky. It usually begins with chaos, but the gods separate it and the creator god brings life.

4.The hero myths and epics teach members of society appropriate attitudes, behavior, and the values of that culture.

5.Ordinary people identify with heroes, because the imperfections and human weaknesses of the heroes helps people identify with heroes.

6. The foundation of the matriarchal society was that women were highly valued and women were usually the head of the families.

7.Sigmund Freud's view of myths was that they contain many similar themes that reflects the existence of a common collective unconscious.

8. Myths demonstrate that people possess the intellectual capacity to understand the world we live in.