We haven't actually begun to read myth yet but have had a good look at several approaches to making meaning out of myth. There are of course many very literal levels upon which we could meditate when we read myths but that would be missing the point completely. Myth is like great art in that it is inspired by genius and reflects the perfection of some aspect of creation.
One only needs to look at the Romantic Movement in Literature to understand the incredible beauty and sublimity that underlies Nature’s visible forms. It was Wordsworth who was overcome by a field of daffodils in "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" and the moment is permanently imprinted in his soul. Walt Whitman teases the meaning of existence out of a few blades of grass in "Song of Myself". In "Ode on A Grecian Urn" Keats is so inspired by artwork on an ancient urn he writes "Beauty is truth, truth beauty-that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
All these artists experienced something akin to an awakening where they realized that behind the visible forms of existence lies the energy and real power of creation. The experience of this is hardly capable being put into words, but nevertheless these artists tried. Much like the metaphors these artists wield in their poems, Mythographers of the past also used metaphors to explain the ineffable, or that which cannot be put into words. In reading the material this semester it is important to remember that all the great myths are metaphors and all the gods and goddesses as well. These are all symbols which stand for some element of human nature or experience, some aspect of humanity which potentially lies within all of us.
The reading explained several ways to look at the myths we will read, but undoubtedly the Archetypal perspective of Jung with its focus on the "human" provides the most promise for those who really wish to understand the meaning of these metaphors. While we will not go deeply into Jungian psychology it will be important to understand Archetypes as opposed to other symbols and how we will read them. See page 48 in the text for a good definition of archetypes.
All of us have experience with these common human experiences and many of them have recognizable rituals associated with them. In Judaism a boy has a Bar mitzvah when he reaches the age of manhood. He is expected to learn certain things about what a man is in his culture and live up to those standards. This is an archetypal experience which aligns the boy with what it means to be a man and guides him through this transition in his life. All boys should have an experience akin to this but as we know our society doesn’t necessarily recognize the importance of this transition. Therefore it is important to pay attention to Myths as they are stories about bringing the spirit in line with the physical under the stresses and pressures of life and help us make these transitions and experiences in our lives easier.
Some of the myths we read will be associated with the natural cycles of the earth and seem to explain some aspect of nature. It is important not to think of these stories as primitive "science". Science as we think of it had not been invented when these stories were written and it's rules do not apply.
Overall it is important to keep your mind open as well as your feelings and intuition when you read. Do not dismiss or disregard anything you have read until you have given time to thinking about it.
Thank you for your thoughtful responses to the video. I will try and respond to your comments or any questions you might throughout the day, but I do have a full time job and I may not get to them right away.
For next time we will be looking at the Greek version of creation from Hesiod. I highly recommend you read the additional clarification as well. It will help you to put things in context much better than just the reading alone.
I can definitely tell why the chapter we read for today was named 'Ways of Interpreting Myth.' Throughout the whole chapter, there are so many different theories and views that you could never imagine to be inner-twined. The section talking about the modern interpretations of Myth really sparked my interest. This section found a way to connect information I had learned in previous classes with the new information I was taking in for this class.
ReplyDeleteIn a class I took in the past, Introduction to healthcare, etiology referred to the study of a cause of a disorder or disease. I find it interesting that while reading the assigned pages on mythology, I came across the same word, but with a different definition. In the context of our reading, etiology referred to myth as a primitive science and emphasized the descriptive aspect of myth. I just found it interesting how one word can be used in two different contexts, ones that don't seem to be similar, and have slightly different meanings. I also found it interesting that, due to myth being related to mental processes, psychology has been mentioned in the reading, and I am a psychology major. The definition of psychology, in the reading, referred to myth relating to human mental processes. This whole section in the reading, especially the section about Sigmund Freud and his theories, really caught my attention. Noticing this, it is easier to understand the readings on mythology and relate it to something I already understand and enjoy learning about.
I also found it interesting that there was a section in the reading for today devoted to feminist approaches to myth. It was odd to me at first. I suppose this was because I wasn't grasping the fact that many people have different views and opinions on everything in the world, and to fully understand a subject such as mythology you need to see all opinions, and not just a one-sided view.
I guess I never realized how connected many different subjects could be, and with todays readings, I can tell that I am really going to take interest in this course.
I have to admit that when reading the information you gave us on Norse mythology, there was a lot going on in the reading, and I found it a little difficult to follow. Once I watched the video, portraying the same information, It was much easier to understand the relationships between all of the mythological characters. I found it interesting how the Norse mythology portrays the beginning of the universe, stating that everything began with one land of fire and one of ice, Niflheim and Muspellsheim. The concept of it all was very interesting.
I definitely agree with Courtney on following the reading, I found that the video definitely helped to establish a few things. I found that ways of interpreting mythology is similar to that of poetry. In previous literature classes that I have taken part in, there always seems to be a different interpretation, and it is most always totally different from what the poet's original intent was. I find this to be true with Mythology as well due to the fact that cultures have such diverse interpretations of the creation of life, yet in someways similar. I found it most interesting the Norse concept of creation beginning with a land of fire and a land of ice, much like Courtney. I found it interesting because I have always enjoyed different modes of mythology from different cultures since I was in grade school, hence the reason I took the class... However, I have never hear of this myth ever. I have to admit I am quite a mythology buff when it comes to the greeks, however I think that may also cause me to have a biased opinon throughout this course and compare everything to the Greeks. I can't wait to learn more. ---Lindsey Breitbeck
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ReplyDeleteI was so shocked to see so many approaches to myths. All these different approaches made my head swarm at first but once i took each individual one and thought about it it seemed to click. I am impressed that the book has a feminine approach to myths.
ReplyDeleteThe videos do seem to make the reading click to me. Maybe it is the idea that we can visualize the readings through the videos? Im not sure but whatever it is it really helps. Thank you.
I was also shocked to see the various approaches to myth. There are so many way to interpret the same piece of literature. It strange to think that people once took these myths as literal events. To have huge giants reaching down from the heavens and up from the seas. It is no wonder humans lived in fear and confusion from mother nature. I would have too if i thought an earthquake was an merciless god.
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