...The notion I'm going to deal with is the idea of myths and heroes. First of all, I'd like to give a short definition, so according to me a myth or a hero is a person who inpires others with his positive thoughts, values or goals. We get totaly influenced and attracted by their good qualities which motivate us to do something good to the society. We can learn good qualities like patriotism, bravery, courage, non violence, compassion, humility, kindness. I would like to illustrate this notion through the theme of Influence and Role Models. We may wonder how can the actions of icons of the past have consequences on people nowadays? In order to illustrate the fact that what they do influence us, our lives, our beliefs, our values My presentation will fall into 3 parts: First of all, I'll concentrate on how role models inspire us by their actions that move us to do the same, then I'll analyse how they encourage us to be the best that we can be before finally focusing on the fact that they are selfless and teach us how to be. Nowadays, a lot of successful people were seen as other’s model. Most of us looked up to someone. It is wildly acknowledged that, role models can influence our lives. They can play an important role in shaping our society. They are figures who seem to embody everything that we think is good, all of the ideal traits that we would like to be able to possess for ourselves, and the kind of life that we would one day want to live. For instance they can......
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...way it is. Many cultures have their own myths of gods, heroes and their interactions with humans. Each myth is specific to that culture and from them a lot about how the people lived and their day to day lives. I am going to compare one ancient, non-western myth with one modern, western-made myth. I have chosen to compare the Mesopotamian version of The Epic of Gilgamesh and Walt Disney’s Heracles. Heracles has become a western classic and while it defiantly does not have the same cultural and spiritual effects Gilgamesh’s myth does there are still many similarities between the two myths. Both myths are epic tails of Heroes who go on a journey to become all they can be; fighting Monsters and even gods along the way. Each of these myths is started with a sort of introduction from outside the story, Heracles by the muses and Gilgamesh by narration. The introductions tell of the deeds both heroes would come to do and give some background of why they were so famous. While they are both described as great heroes, the journeys of Gilgamesh and Heracles have some similarities and differences. Both have parts with our heroes valiantly battling monsters, saving cities from monsters and even meeting companions along the way; there are also many differences in their stories, like the type of hero they are, the Nichols 2 repercussions for their transgressions against the gods and their moral values. It is after the introduction that the real myth begins and one finds that they are......
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...Heroes of Today and Yesterday Invincibility. Extreme strength. Super-speed. Flying. These describe the traits that the characters or “heroes” from yesterday and today are surrounded with. Mankind has used these heroes to describe the plight of man, and detailed their extravagant adventures I oral stories to help their society understand where we came from. Don Williams put it best saying, “Myths are, if you will, dreams created by whole societies -- they are extravagant metaphors for the patterns of our collective yearnings. In every age they take on the character of a search for something extraordinary, something beyond everyday life” (Williams, 1997). These myths were also used in societies way of providing hope, and symbolizing a light when things are at their worst or darkest. No matter the culture, all have created or expanded on a hero in order to make the hero’s plight intertwined with its intended audience. These heroes were used as moral compasses for society’s children in an attempt to get them to act in a way that was good and well behaved according to societal norms. The writers and creators of these heroes would humanize the heroes, giving them issues and problems similar to issues that the average person would handle, but on a much grander scale. Whether they were battling a throng of monsters, or saving a damsel in distress more often than not, these heroes would have to come to terms with their own mortality. As demigods or minor gods, these heroes......
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...Mythological and Modern-Day Heroes Paper · Identify a hero from literature or popular culture who embarks upon a mythical quest. · Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that includes the following: o A list of the mythological hero’s characteristics o A description of how that character exemplifies a mythological hero o The purpose of the mythical quest in general APA Style!!! * An epic hero has four distinctive qualities. The first characteristic is that the hero requires a life altering journey, one that can change the way he thinks about someone or something, or that has a substantial impact on him/her physically or emotionally. The next quality is that there must be some form of divine or godly intervention that helps or hinders the hero’s journey. A third quality of the epic hero is a quest, goal or objective that the hero must reach. Nearly all cultures have produced myths about heroes. Some heroes, such as the Greek Achilles, have one mortal and one divine parent. Others are fully human but are blessed with godlike strength or beauty. Many myths about heroes concern significant phases of the hero's career, such as the circumstances of the hero's birth, a journey or quest, and the return home. The birth and infancy of a mythological hero is often exceptional or even miraculous. In the ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean world, the births of many heroes followed similar patterns. Many heroes were often left to die at a......
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...GreekMythology.com has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on Greek Gods and Greek Goddesses, Greek Myths and Greek Heroes like Achilles and Hercules. It also has full text of Greek Mythology and Literature books. You can freely use all information in this site for term papers, research papers, college essays and homework papers. Click on the links below for further info.GreekMythology.com has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on Greek Gods and Greek Goddesses, Greek Myths and Greek Heroes like Achilles and Hercules. It also has full text of Greek Mythology and Literature books. You can freely use all information in this site for term papers, research papers, college essays and homework papers. Click on the links below for further info.GreekMythology.com has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on Greek Gods and Greek Goddesses, Greek Myths and Greek Heroes like Achilles and Hercules. It also has full text of Greek Mythology and Literature books. You can freely use all information in this site for term papers, research papers, college essays and homework papers. Click on the links below for further info.GreekMythology.com has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on Greek Gods and Greek Goddesses, Greek Myths and Greek Heroes like Achilles and Hercules. It also has full text of Greek Mythology and Literature books. You can freely use all information in......
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...there is also a villain or monster, in which case the depression was, since it was what society had to overcome as nation. The image of Superman was used to uplift society and showing what America should represent. Through the readings, heroes and monsters have general characteristics that are seen in people in modern day society. Looking at superheroes seen in comic books or movies, they have very similar qualities from their upbringing to their adversities as a superhero. Through “The Hero: Man Divided against Himself” it reveals the roles of superheroes and how most of them derive from Greek myths. It begins with showing the heroic pattern that heroes tend to follow, for example Superman or Batman came from a royal family, becoming an orphan, overcomes a near death experience and defeats the villain. These are a few of the many patterns heroes follow. The chapter goes on to acknowledge that these characteristics can be seen in. modern day people, like first responders during a tragedy or soldiers fighting on foreign soil. According to The Hero and Society (sub point), “the hero has unique gifts that allow him to excel at protecting human societies from threats to personal, economic, or cultural survival” (231). This expresses that heroes can be seen from many different perspectives to fit the heroic criteria. Furthermore, as well as heroic characteristics, there are monster characteristics that are seen today. In chapter five “The Hero’s Adventure”, Joseph Campbell......
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...art. Myths and mythological characters have enthused masterpieces of composition, literature, sculpture and architecture. By studying myths, you can study how diverse societies have answered primary questions about the world and the individuals place in it. As individuals, the study of myths shows us how urbanized a meticulous communal system is with the conduct of life. By investigative myths, people can understand the feelings and principles that combine members of society into one group. Comparing the myths of a variety of cultures to determine how they are diverse and how they remind you of one another can also, show understanding on how people behave. For at least 2,000 years, scholars have speculated about how myths began. Some consider myths began as historical events that became unclear with the line of time. Others think myths resulted from an effort to explain natural occurrences that people could not value. Scholars have also urbanized others theories of how myths began. These theories answers all the questions about myths, but each contributes to an understanding of the subject. Today, people have methodical answers theories for many such questions about the world around them, also the usual events in terms of stories about gods, goddesses, and heroes. In the early days each society urbanized its own myths, which played a significant part in the society’s religious life. Most myths are alienated into two groups’ creation myths and explanatory myths. In......
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...Filipino’s quest for genuine nationhood History and Partisan Scholarship * discusses the frameworks used by early historians in writing our history * emphasized that since colonial mentality and culture were effective instruments of colonization, a counter-culture for national liberation was necessary in order to blast the myths and distortions of history Definition of History * History is not just a description of the past but an important tool in understanding the present * It helps us to understand how events in the past shaped our society and how mistakes committed in the past will serve as lessons to be used in the future Writings on History I. Early Writings A. Created myths / propagated “colonial consciousness” B. Sources of Distortions: 1. Clerical Scholars a. point of view: religion b. writings based on Christian prejudices 2. American Historians a. focused on education b. posed as altruistic benefactors of the subjugated people 3. Filipino Historians c. tends to idealize and romanticize Pre-Spanish culture and society d. tends to celebrate leaders as heroes II. Partisan Scholarship A....
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...What is a Myth? Before defining the term "mythology" one needs to define the meaning of the word "myth". The word itself comes from the Greek "mythos" which originally meant "speech" or "discourse" but which later came to mean "fable" or "legend". So the word "myth" is defined as a story of forgotten or vague origin, basically religious or supernatural in nature, which seeks to explain or rationalize one or more aspects of the world or a society. Furthermore, all myths are, at some stage, actually believed to be true by the peoples of the societies that used or originated the myth. The definition is thus clearly distinguished from the use of the word myth in everyday speech which basically refers to any unreal or imaginary story. A myth is also distinctly different from an allegory or parable which is a story deliberately made up to illustrate some moral point but which has never been assumed to be true by anyone. Some myths describe some actual historical event, but have been embellished and refashioned by various story tellers over time so that it is impossible to tell what really happened. In this last aspect myths have a legendary and historical nature. Definitions of Mythology The word mythology has two related meanings. Firstly it refers to a collection of myths that together form a mythological system. Thus one can speak of "Egyptian Mythology", "Indian Mythology", "Maori Mythology" or "Greek Mythology". In this sense one is describing a system of myths which......
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...Discuss the extent to which Roman ideas about their gods and the foundation of their city were influenced by Greek mythology. Ancient Rome is filled with history of great wars and heroes, the mighty and the fallen. They were renowned conquers becoming one of the largest empires of their time. The romans were skilled finding their strengths in the engineering industry as well as the law. Although this ancient civilisation existed millenniums ago, they still effect the times of today. A prime example of this is the language, English. Romans spoke Latin and as they conquered and settled through Europe, “Latin fused with the native languages,” creating the romance languages of today; “Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese… and Catalan.” The vocabulary of English has also largely derived from the Latin language. Although the current times of today have been influenced by the times of the ancients, the Romans however were influenced to an extent by the ancient Greek’s civilisation. By the 2nd century BC, Rome had a very evident impact from the culture of the Greeks. Greeks had begun to settle on the south then later migrating further north of Italy’s peninsula, and occupying the city of Sicily. There is neither exact date nor event that stipulates the cross of two nations however events such as the Macedonian and Carthage wars of Roman conquest would have aided in the direct contact to Greek colonization. The influence of Greece can be seen throughout every aspect of a......
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...from myths in that they concern human beings rather than gods, and sometimes in that they have some sort of historical basis whereas myths do not; but these distinctions are difficult to maintain consistently Legend vs Myth: Myths are generally referred to as traditional stories occuring in a timeless past. They may involve supernatural elements and are beyond the frontiers of logic. Myths may also give a religious explanation. Myths have their chronology of events and cannot be related to present timelines. They may also be imaginary things. Legends, however, are stories about real people who are famous for doing something brave or extraordinary. Legends may be told upon topics of historical importance. It is not an explanation of something nor a symbolic narrative, they're based on an event. Examples of myths and legends It is a Greek myth that Prometheus stole fire from Zeus, the chief god, and gave it to humans so that they could keep themselves warm. To punish him, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock where his liver was eaten by an eagle every day but grew again every night. There is nothing to prove it and we do not even have a time frame to show so it is a myth. A common contemporary myth is that a cat crossing the road in front of you brings bad luck. This is a myth as it not based on any solid evidence and is an unproven thing. Stories of heroes like Robin Hood and King Arthur are related to a certian time period and hence they are legends. Proof Myths are......
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...Mothers Role in Mythology In most epics, the hero seems to conquer and prevail by themselves without any external help. Although this may be true for some myths, many others have additional help from either another person or deity that is often overlooked. In the case of the ancient Sumerian epic Gilgamesh and the Greek myth of the Iliad, both Gilgamesh and Achilles receive help or guidance from their mothers, a key component of both myths that can often be missed. In the epics, both mothers have a heavy influence on on their sons’ lives, which in turn affects the outcome of the myth. To fully understand how the mothers affected the myths, it is important to examine both and understand they way both mothers went about helping their sons. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is a demi-god and ruler of Uruk and has seemingly god-like abilities and because of this, the people of Uruk looked at him as a hero. With his god-like abilities, Gilgamesh went on many journeys that tested his strength and physical endurance. Although part god and seemingly invincible, Gilgamesh still sought his mother’s opinion. One example of this is when Gilgamesh seeks counsel with his mother Ninsun to understand two dreams he had about a future opponent named Enkidu. For the first dream, Ninsun interprets: This star of heaven which descended like a meteor from the sky;[sic]which you tried to lift, but found too heavy, when you tried to move it it would not budge, and so you brought it to my feet;...
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...Definition of the 4 notions Myths and heroes: A myth can be defined as a story about gods or heroes, it can be a popular belief or a tradition or a false notion. A hero can be a mythological figure, a person who is admired for his or her achievements, a superhero or maybe a role model or an icon. Examples can be: - a patriotic or national hero (sportsman, politician, human rights defender.....) - a fictitious hero (superhero or film star) - an icon or role model (fashion, tv, music) - a defender of common values - a politician/king/queen who has achieved international recognition Locations and forms of power: (also called Places and forms of power or Seats and forms of power) In politics and social science, power is the ability to influence people's behaviour. In order to live together members of a community accept rules, regulations, laws. This helps to create social cohesion but can also lead to conflicts and tensions. Even when authority seems absolute, there are always counter-powers which question it, aim at limiting its excesses and resist it. Examples can be: - the power of the media (reality tv, internet v written press) - Financial power (the power of money) - Inequalities between blacks and whites - the fight against oppression and segregation (South Africa, USA) - The American Dream - The Civil Rights movement and political recognition : Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X (can also be linked to the notion of Myths and Heroes) Idea of Progress The......
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...across the phrase “that’s a myth” and typically when we hear this we know that there may be little to possibly no truth to it, and maybe even a story from ancient history. Myths can range from different meanings based on who is telling the myth, the culture, and much more. Below there will be information that will elaborate on the many questions of what a myth is, how it is relevant in contemporary culture and the many belief systems that follow through with Myths. What Is a Myth? The word myth has been used on this earth for as long as we know, and is a popular word that is used to generally to tell a story, event, history, or even to describe a legend of some sort or time. Although many myths may be imaginary as told, they are most certainly acknowledged. There is no proof to many of the myths but they hold significance to many, and many hold dear to their beliefs regarding the myths regardless of its minimal proof to be a fact or not. There are many stories that are told from different cultures that have continued to be told through time, and depending on our culture, and who told these stories they follow and hold great significance to many and some will believe them and others may not. The Most common mythological themes across different cultures especially the seven major cultural groups Africa, the Americas, Northern Europe, the British Isle, Middle East, Greece, Rome, the far East, and the Pacific Islands is creation. Every culture has its myths about pantheons......
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...Introduction Ancient Greece was the birthplace of western civilization. It’s culture is the embodiment of the ideals which are pursued even today. The richness of Greek mythology inspired artists from the middle ages to modernity, with motives of myth occurring sporadically throughout history. Starting from the middle ages, when Christian and ancient traditions started to mix together, forming the basis of modern western culture, Greek myth has been in the centre of interest. It is intriguing to note that Roman mythology is not as potent as Greek in modern art. Ovid’s Metamorphoses was the most influential text in the Middle ages, and it served as inspiration to writers, painters, musicians and other artists. However, Christianity did not accept ancient myths in their true, religious meaning. Myths were used to paint symbols, allegories and allusions to contemporary issues, mainly religious. Mythical beings and heroes were fitted – in a sense, into a medieval Catholic frame (Von Hendy, 2). Homer’s Iliad is probably the most frequently read of all the Greek myths. It tells the story of Troy, and its fall to Greek armies led by king Agamemnon. The war began when Paris, a young Trojan prince took Helen, the wife of Menelaus and ran with her. This led to a great war, which resulted in the destruction of Troy. This epic work has been a source of endless inspiration for artists throughout the ages. Since the beginning of Renaissance, and the rebirth of classical spirit in......
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