1. WEEK 2 LECTURE:
MYTHS & LEGENDS
HWST 104

2. MYTHOLOGY
• Mythology is the study of myth.
• The term “myth” is often used to
refer to a false story. However, the
academic use of the term does not
pass judgment on truth or falsity.

3. MYTHOLOGY
• Mythology is a collection of traditional
stories that express the beliefs or values of
a group of people
• It is the basis for the understanding of our
own existence
– All cultures have some type of myths
(ie: Greeks, Romans, Native Americans, Maori, etc.)
– The same myths can often be found in different parts
of the world. For example, creation stories related to
plants, animals, and people are common among
many cultures.

4. MYTHS
• Myths are poetic stories that express a world
view and embodies the ideals, beliefs, and
dreams of a society. In fact, if a dream is the
unconscious expression of an individual reality,
then a myth is the collective consciousness of
society's dreams
• Myths help groups of people identify
themselves and define their values. It helps
validate social order and provides a moral
code by which to live.

5. MYTHS
• In other words, by
studying myth, a person
can learn how a culture
thought, lived, and
expressed themselves.
HISTORY can tell you
facts about a people,
but MYTH shows you
the personality, their
beliefs, fears, and

6. MYTHS
• Myths often
explain natural
phenomena.
• Myths explain
universal truths or
values using
symbols.

7. MYTHS
• Myths are spiritual
in nature and are
meant to
instruct/teach the
spirit and resonate
something within
you. They are
clues to the
spiritual potential
of the human life.

8. MYTHS
• Myths inform
people in the
ways of living
successfully in
a given
geography

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF A MYTH
• Sacred stories concerning the distant past
• Often uses the supernatural to interpret
natural events and to explain the basic
questions of human existence such as the
nature of the universe and humanity
• Conveys how to live: assumptions, values,
core meanings of individuals, families,
communities, and cultures
• Often incorporates characters that are
non-human such as gods, goddesses,
demigods, and supernatural beings.

10. MYTHS
• You may encounter different versions of
stories. No one can say that one version
of a story is “right” and the others
“wrong.”
• To understand myths, one must look
beyond the literal translation. Instead,
you should study the symbols and
ideas.

11. MYTHS
• Characters and
symbols in myths can
mean different
things to different
people.
• In fact, they can
even mean different
things to the same
person at different

12. EXAMPLES OF MYTHS
• Classic Myths
– Pandora’s Box
– Homer’s Iliad
– Pele & Hi’iaka
• Modern-day myths have many components of
ancient/classic myths, as in the following:
– Star Wars
– Lord of the Rings
– Whale Rider
– Superman
– Finding Nemo
– Monsters Inc.

13. MYTHOLOGY IN
MODERN DAY SOCIETY
• Mythology is everywhere! Many
companies/groups/corporations take
their name, logo or theme from ancient
mythology. Below are just a few:
– Ajax: Greek warrior in the Trojan war who “cleaned up”
in battle (household cleaner)
– Apollo: God of music (Apollo Theater)
– Nike: Winged goddess of victory who can run and fly
at great speeds (shoes/apparel)
– Olympus: Home of the Olympian gods (camera
company)

14. MYTHOLOGY IN
MODERN DAY SOCIETY
• There are many words/expressions that are
derived from ancient myths
– Achilles’ heel
• Achilles: Greek hero of the Trojan War who was said to
be invulnerable on all his body except for his heel. It is
said that he was killed in battle by an arrow to his heel
– Midas touch
• Midas: King with the golden touch who transformed all
he touched into gold
– Herculean strength
• Hercules: Roman name for Heracles, the greatest Greek
hero

15. LEGENDS
• Legends are stories handed down
through generations that are about the
more recent past
• Does not incorporate all essential
elements of a myth
– Often blends facts with improbable elements
– Legends may contain references to the gods
or accounts of extraordinary or miraculous
events , however it generally includes or is
based on historical events
• Main characters are usually human. The
main character is generally a hero who
serves as an exemplar or model of
behavior for people within a society

16. EXAMPLES OF LEGENDS
• King Arthur & the Knights of the
Round Table
• Robin Hood
• Atlantis
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• Kamehameha & The Naha Stone

17. MYTHS VS. LEGENDS
• Considered true
sacred stories that
happened in the
distant past
• Main character is
often non-human
• Story is timeless,
events are
symbolic
• Considered true
stories that
happened in the
more recent past
• Main character is
usually human
• Story told has
historical
information/value

18. “Myths are clues to the
spiritual potentialities of the
human life.”
-Joseph Campbell

19. “All of these symbols in myths
refer to YOU.”
-Joseph Campbell
“If all of these symbols in myth
refer to YOU, what could it
mean?”
-Kaipo Frias

20. “Follow your bliss. When you
do, . . . doors will open where
you would not have thought
there would be doors; and
where there wouldn't be
a door for anyone else.”
-Joseph Campbell