Ending the Silence

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		In the early beginnings of men there existed much that they didn't understand about the world in which they lived. As men sought understanding they created myths. The word myths is believed to come from the Greel word "Mythos" which essentially means "a spoken or written story". However, myths are more then a simple story for they possess a message within the tale. They may explore these themes: explore or explain the xreation or destruction of the universe, the relationships between Gods & Godesses and human beings, Good versus Evil, how the first human appeared, tales of heroic humans, and the afterlife. They played a vital role in their religious and social beliefs. Why do myths survive? May haps it is simply because they were inscribed within thier religion, culture, and daily lives. They were a part of the very social fibers of the culture and all members of the community knewn the myths for they were often told at gatherings and ceremonies. They were past from generation to generation. Myths confirmed their beliefs and preserved, but they were also entertaining and exciting. They were able to capture and spellbind the listener/audience from start to finish. Where did myths come from? 2000 years ago, a Greek scholar called Euhemerus suggested that all myths are based on historical events and that the orginial facts have become exaggerated as time passed. Recently however, scholars have suggested that may haps that all myths were orginally symbolic stories that foretold and reforced the cultures beliefs. However, no one truly knows where myths came from and they may have been nothing more then our ancestors attempt to explain the world around them. Why is mythology important? Mythology is important because it allows us to peer into ancient cultures. We learn about their customs and values. We have learned that amongst the varying cultures common themes exist. Myths are man's earliest regilious beliefs.

Many myths are concerned with right and wrong, and what is believed to be good versus what is evil. Most myths have beings who bring pain and trouble to the people and those who protect the people and comfort them. Many times it is an evil monster who is defeated by the hero, and in turn the hero is rewarded for his deed and the villian is punished. Gods and Goddesses: An important role of mythology is to explain the relationship between human beings and the gods and goddesses. These change from myth to myth, and culture to culture. However, these dieties reflect the ideals of the people who worship them. Most times they are exceptionally quick-witted, beautiful, handsome, strong and so on. Some cultures believe that their ruling families are descendants from the gods and goddesses. Others believe in one supreme being with a number of gods and goddesses under the one being, and still others bestow upon the gods and goddesses either human, animal or a combination of the two as their forms. Still others place the gods and goddesses either in the Heavens or underworld, with a few cultures believe that either a pole or tree link all the realms togather. Creation Myths: "Many myths describe the creation of the universe, or the origin of natureal world and of human beings." This usually begins with the existence of either a god or goddess, or both that brings about the worlds creation. Often times the world begins with the existence of nothing, the abyss or chaos, and out of this nothingness the basic elements appear such as the Sun, Moon, or Earth, which are often times gods of goddesses. It is from these elements that all life is formed. First Human: Commonly found in some mythologies is the creation of men, some have men descending from half animal and half human ancestor; others say they were lead from the underworld, or as in a myth from China people grew like plants. Heroic Humans: Every mythology has a hero or heroes, and it may be either a god or a human being who performs an extraordinary feat or journey. Although each hero reflects the ideals of each individual society, they all possess common themes that link each myth togather. The common features are: hero, most often is male, but some have been women, the hero may be mortal or immortal, or a combination of the two, usually have immense strength, intelligence, and so on, usually they are on a quest, either searching for something or to end some kind of evil, usually they fight some kind of monster and end the threat to the people, and at the end of the quest, they are usually recieve some kind of reward for their deeds. Cultural Heroes: "A Cultual Hero" is one "who acts with skill, daring, or cunning to establish the basis of human soceity." An example of this, is a hero who has brought the people the knowledge of fire or other important elements to their society. Afterlife: Many cultures possess myths that explain what happens after death. The most common theme is that one travels to a different place depending upon their actions; either a paradise-like place or the underworld, which is a place of torment and punishment. Animals/Plants: Often times plants and animals play a role in the myth, exspecially in hunting or farming societies. Often times the hero faces fabulous beasts such as the serpent or dragon. Trees and natural springs were often believed to contain spirits who protect them and would become anger if they became damaged. Also in some cultures it was a tree that linked the different realms togather.

	Myths Myths are considered true sacred stories that occurred in the remote past with gods and monsters as the principal characters. People regarded them as truthful accounts of what happened in long ago times. Myths explain aspects of the natural world and lay out rules for the customs and ideals of society Really important things are discussed in myths - such as how the world was created, who created it and why. Myths gave us such vital information. Legends Legends are true stories about human heroes that occurred in the recent past. Along the way many exploits, adventures and feats of bravery of dozens of people get added onto the legend of one hero. And the tales just get taller and taller ! They were stories regarded as true but set in a different period of time than myths, a time less remote, in an historical world. Fairy Stories and Folk Tales Folktales are stories which are regarded as fiction. You must remember them from childhood - stories that happen "once upon a time". Usually human and non-human characters play out their parts together.

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