Introduction to Myths & Legends | Mythology, Culture & Why We Study Myths

What do Bigfoot, a vampire, Loki, and Ancient Greece all have in common? You're going to learn about all of them in this course. Welcome to the Mythological Institute, an organization dedicated to decoding the ancient stories that have been passed down for generations. You must be here because you love mythology. Or maybe you love video games like Legend of Zelda, or manga like Naruto, or superhero movies like The Avengers. All of these things have been heavily influenced by myths and legends, so if you like any of those, you're in the right place. I'm Tony, your guide, and I've been tasked with teaching you about myths and legends from around the world. Our mission is to gather fragments of the Mythos Codex, an ancient archive of mythological knowledge. Every lesson will help us add a piece to the Codex and to your understanding of mythology. Let's go! We'll start by defining myths and legends to figure out why we study them. Next, we'll break down the five key elements of every story we'll explore. And finally, we'll get a preview of what's ahead. Let's get started! Both myths and legends are narratives that have been passed down through storytelling, and have stuck around for a long time. Some are ancient. Some are spooky. Some sound suspiciously like superhero origin stories. But what's the difference? Let's start with myths. A myth is a story that explains important aspects of human life, nature, or creation. They often feature supernatural beings or extraordinary events and symbols. For the people who created them, these stories were often believed to be true. Now, what about legends? Legends are stories rooted in historical events, embellished over time with fantastical details. Legends focus on humans achieving remarkable things, and they usually preserve local traditions or honor heroes. Like I said, we'll be sent on assignments all over the world to study these stories, and we'll learn about many different cultures along the way. What is a culture, exactly? It's the shared beliefs, behaviors, and values that shape how a group of people live and interact. Have you studied ancient Greece or Egypt? What about ancient Africa, Asia, or Native American cultures? We'll study cultures from almost every continent. These myths and legends are old, some like thousands of years old, and we're still fascinated by them now. Think about it. We keep making movies about Thor. Vampires never really go out of style. And Yoda is a wise yet confusing mentor, like an ancient Greek oracle. Why do you think people still study myths and legends? Pause to think about it and respond. I've got three reasons why. First of all, myths and legends are fun. They entertain us, spark our imaginations, and have inspired art, books, and movies for centuries. But there's more to it than just entertainment. These stories are also powerful tools for learning about human history and culture. Myths and legends reveal what people believed, how they behaved, and what they valued most. They give us a window into the past. And here's something even cooler. They reveal how much we, as humans, have in common. Did you know myths from all over the world have stories about massive floods? Underworld journeys? And the struggle between good and evil? Stories from ancient civilizations that never interacted often ask the same big questions. That's proof of the universal human experience, showing what similar feelings and ideas connect us as people. Myths make us wonder, do we have any new answers to these age-old questions? In this course, most lessons will feature a myth or legend. In each one, I want you to notice five different elements. Do some of these terms look familiar? Try matching the definitions in your PDF. Ready to review? First is the setting, where the story happens. It defines the myth's possibilities, hosts monumental events, and it can actually give us insight into a culture's values. Like, is the setting sacred or tied to nature or reflective of the social order? Next, we have characters. They engage in conflicts, make choices, and often reflect the virtues or vices of their cultures. Many are what we call archetypes or common types of characters that show up in myths again and again, like heroes, villains, or gods. Conflict is next. The essential challenge driving the plot forward and influencing the myth's message. And the myth's underlying message or idea is the theme. It's basically the ancient wisdom or lesson the myth teaches us. Finally, one of the most interesting elements of myths is transformation. This is when a character goes through a profound change, which can represent personal growth, punishment, or a reward. Transformations can be physical, like a character literally turned into a frog or an old lady. They can also be metaphorical, like a vengeful warrior laying down his sword. We'll notice these elements in every story that we read. Now, what will we read? This course has six units, and the first five are each tied to different kinds of stories. Here's what you can look forward to in each unit. First, in Unit 1, Creation Myths and Making Sense of Chaos, we'll look at how ancient cultures explained the beginning of everything. Stories from the Aztec Empire and Norse mythology, to name a few, will reveal how people understood the origins of the universe, humanity, and the natural world. Unit 2 takes us on epic adventures with ancient heroes like Mulan and Heracles, where we'll ask, what really makes someone a hero? And what do ancient heroes have to do with us today? In Unit 3, it's all about love, sacrifice, and transformation, from the kidnapping of the ancient Greek goddess Persephone, to the powerful love story of Isis and Osiris. You'll see how myths explore life's biggest emotions and choices. Next, Unit 4 turns the spotlight on tricksters across cultures, like the infamous Loki, the fearsome Baba Yaga, and the messenger god Hermes. We'll see how tricksters shake things up, and why every culture talks about them. Then, in Unit 5, prepare to meet monsters and urban legends, like vampires, sea serpents, and Mothman. We'll explore what these creepy creatures reveal about the human imagination. Finally, in Unit 6, we'll wrap up everything that you've learned, and see the impact myths and legends have had on us. I can't wait to teach you about ancient Japan. You might see some connections between mythology and anime. I'm also pumped for the Monsters Unit. Have you wondered what Sasquatch has to do with mythology? Or maybe you want to know if he's real, or just a hoax. What about you? Which unit or myth from this course are you most curious to explore, and why? Write down your thoughts and questions about it. Your questions can help you dive deeper into the topics that interest you most. The Mythological Institute is excited to have you on this journey. With quite a few gods, quests, tricksters, and monsters ahead, it's about to get interesting. Let's go get this codex! Head to your lesson materials and online practice to finish this intro lesson. And always, stay legendary!