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Myths

Introduction

The term myth is derived from a Greek word “mythos” meaning “speech”, which later came to mean legend. Myths, are of varying kinds such as Greek myths and Native American myths, typically created to elucidate natural phenomenon, whose truth is questionable. No matter how intricate it seems to determine its reality, but myths render some explanation, have shaped the Native American culture and have an impact on our perceptions, traditions and life (Doyle, 1997, pp. 2).

Discussion

Claude Levi-Strauss, an anthropologist forwarded that the basic function of the myth is not associated with explaining social reality but encompasses primary linguistic categories that contribute to the cultural understanding of reality. The dualities are related with the cultural understanding of reality such as good/evil, male/female etc. Myths implement these dualities or categories in a manner that assures that myths are a legitimate way to perceive the world (Emile, 1965, pp. 2-5). Myths are narratives of a Sacred Nature, commonly associated with Ritual and religions, myths are also narratives of social values such as functionalism, narratives of certain epistemology (structuralism such as dualities), and involves heroic characters who reconcile us to reality and establish the life patterns.

The types of individual myths and the purpose of myths

Myths, on a broader spectrum, render historical and cosmological rationalization to various phenomenon of the universe and its intricacies, like history, theology or science. Creation myths are concerned with primary animals and gods such as the dismemberment of animals or gods resulting in the creation of the universe. Nature myths describe natural phenomenon. For instance, Khepri, an Egyptian god, rolled the sun ball across the sky and rendered meaning to the sun rise, and Maori of New Zealand considered the morning dew as god's tears etc. The myths that explain the human activities are called Etiological myths. For instance, according to one myth, The Olympic Games were started by Pelops (a Greek hero) after Posiedon assisted him to win Hippodameia's hand in a chariot race. The myths regarding the relationships of gods with other mythical figures are referred as Theogenic myth such as the theogeny of Hesiod. Human have created myths and mythical systems over thousands of years for various reasons (Doyle, 1997). The national or founding myths include myths such as pilgrims, Christopher Columbus and George Washington. Native American myths vary as the 700 or more cultures that thrived here in America (Johnson, 2008, pp 2).

In a religious context, the myths explain the origins of religious beliefs such as death, birth and life of Jesus, or Buddha's spiritual journey etc. Myths explain the association of basic religious beliefs and values and everyday experiences. It would not be wrong to propose that the myths of ancient heroes have played a vital role in the creation of revolutionary heroes and in glorifying social arrangements. For instance, Alexander the great, one of the renowned conqueror in the history of this world, used to impersonate Achilles (a Greek hero) (Emile, 1965, pp. 2-5). ...