Purpose Of Myths

Myths attempt to answer the following ?'s

• What is the nature of the universe in which we live
• How do I feel about how I'm going to die for sure one day
• How much control do I have over my own life
• How can I lead a satisfying life

4 Themes in Myhtology

• Parents often gods
• Those gods create humans
• Destroy 1 world of mortals through a flood
• There are heros that are the children of the gods

Whats the beginning of the universe

• Most major cultures describe the beginning of the universe as: Chaotic, formless mass that god or pair of gods seperates

What do epics/hero myths teach members of society

• They teach its members the appropriate attitudes, behavior, and values of that culture

Why do ordinary people identify with heros

• They do a ton of cool things but they aren't perfect. Those imperfections allow for identification 

Whats the foundation of matriarchal society

• Based on the fact that women could give life they were respected as such

What's Smigmund Freud's view of myths

• They viewed myths as an expression of the individuals unconscious wishes, fears and drives

Myths demonstrate that people posses

• Myths demonstrate that they possess the intellectual capacity to understand the world in which they live