|
Mythology - 12 / 3 / 2002
myth - a type of speech defined by its intention, not its literal sense
community / culture
which comes first?
myth or community
functions of myth
origin myths - beginnings
mores myths - reflection of community / cultural values
sacred geography
association myths - tying people and land together
cosmological myth - structure of the universe
axis mundi
order & chaos / the abyss
myth as mask
metaphor
Masks of Eternity
Joseph Campbell
dynamic
living / evolving - changing with the culture / community
balance - complements, not opposites
rendered with humor
ephemeral & eternal
microcosm - the individual
mesocosm - the society
macrocosm - the universe
folktale / folklore
Sir James Frazer
rationalist / hidden agenda
mythic language
catharsis [see Systems of Purity]
poetry
metaphor [kenning] - a figurative or compound expression used in place of a noun or name
implicit comparison
storytelling - interactive
interactive learning [60 - 65 percent retention]
song
dance - morris dancers
music
art
cave art - Europe & Africa
sand paintings - Navaho / Buddhist
ritual [see Ritual & Theater]
comedy [see Humor]
clowning [see Clowns]
sacred clowns
fools - deformity, difference or innocence
jesters - wit & satire
Feast of Fools
structure & anti-structure
temporary license
Lord of Misrule / King of Fools
scapegoat / hero [see Systems of Purity]
feted then sacrificed
carnival
masking
mask - from Latin, meaning specter, witch, mask
not deception / disguise
identification & assumption of attributes & powers
participation
re-enactment & reinforcement
mummers
Jack in the Green
destruction & revival / rebirth
Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
The Golden Bough - Sir James Frazer
Historical Atlas of World Mythology - Joseph Campbell [5 vols]
The Masks of God - ibid [4 vols]
The Power of Myth - Joseph Campbell, with Bill Moyers
New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology
|
|