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Mythology

WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY?

μῦθος - ‘mythos’ = Word, Speech, Story, Tale

1) Myth

2) Saga/Legend

3) Folktales

Etiological

αἰτία - ‘aitia’ = Cause, Blame

Allegory

Symbolism

Psychology

• Sigmund Freud

• Carl Jung

Myth

Society

Myth

Religion

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Structuralism - Binary Opposites

For not to her are golden Aphrodite’s works pleasing,

But what is pleasing to her are wars and Ares’ work,

Combats and battles, and being busy with splendid works.

She was the first who taught the craftsmen on earth to make carts

And chariots gleaming with bronze, and she taught her splendid works

To the soft-skinned maidens in halls, inspiring each one’s mind.

Hymn to Aphrodite, vv.9ff.

‘In my time I have kept company with greater men even than you, and they never failed to respect me. The like of such men I have not seen since, nor will I ever see -Perithoos and Dryas, shepherd of his people, and Kaineus and Exadios and godlike Polyphemos, and Theseus son of Aigeus, the image of the immortals. They were the mightiest of men bread upon the earth.’ Iliad, 1

Concerning the Sons of Zeus, you black-eyed Muses, speak, The sons of Tyndareos, fair-ankled Leda’s splendid boys Castor tamer of steeds, Polydeuces who has no flaw.Beneath tall Atygetos’ peak she gave birth, having joined in loveWith Kronos’ black-clouded son, to these saviours of earthly men And their speedily faring ships. When wintry tempests rage Across the implacable deep, in prayer the sailors call On the Sons of mighty Zeus with white lambs at the edge of the stern. The strong gale and surge of the sea have sent the ship under! But now they come, propelled through the sky on rustling wings. At once they still the fierce blasts, and smooth the waves on the Frothing deep. Fair signs are these for sailors and mark their freedom From toil; at the sight the sailors rejoice, and with dismal toil have Done. Farewell to you, sons of Tyndareos, mounted upon swift steeds; But I will call to my mind both you and another song.