The genres of Myth and Epic have been around since there was only oral literature. Epics and myths are often confused because they share some similarities. However, each genre has distinctive subject matters and artistic styles of writing that makes them different. A Myth is a traditional story of unknown authorship, ostensibly with a historical basis, but serving usually to explain some phenomenon of nature, the origin of man, or the customs, institutions, religious rites, etc. of a certain peoples. Myths explain man’s experience and the world. The purpose is to entertain and provoke thoughts. Myths like The Creation a Negro Sermon by James Weldon Johnson describe the origins of man, explaining the natural phenomenon of how God made man. An Epic is …show more content…
The stories told in the two genres were sung and spoken from generation to generation, not written down originally. Myths and Epics both contain an external conflict created by forces of nature or the gods. However, the epic was the most advance of the forms of literature. The epic differs from myths because it contains rhythm and rhyme. Epics contain fixed epithet which is the repetitive use of the same word or phrase for the same person or object. The mnemonic devices in the epics are used as memory aids to educate the people on morality. The most important thematic element of the epic is the promotion of patriotic goal and of a moral goal. While myths explain some phenomenon of nature and origin of man, the epic promotes the patriotism and good moral ideals. The epic gives the gods and human dealings significance in historical events. The stylistic elements of the epic are an extended narrative that is episodic. The epic is episodic meaning it is made of multiple stories, within the epic, connected by the central character or central characters. The epic begins in medias res; this means that epics do not start from the beginning, but in the middle of things unlike
This paper elaborates on the diverse contributions peoples of African descent have made to the pluralistic religious landscape of America and replicates various passages from our textbook. It focuses on the personal narratives of non-religious to religious leaders—exemplifying their influence on the African American religious movement during slavery and the reconstruction of America. Each section represents different historical periods, regional variations, and non-Christian expressions of African-American religion.
...and reasons for being written, they both share very similar aspects that are also prominent in many other epic stories. This proves that the style for writing epics has persisted through time for thousands of years due to the fact that the way they are written creates a long lasting effect on the readers and inspires others to follow the same parameters to writing stories in a similar fashion. This causes a snowball effect that allow the same story structure to even be prominent in movies and books today.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure filled plot and is concerned with timeless human problems such as honour, jealousy, war and hatred. These contain gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are based on legends and myths.
An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject. It usually is about
Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetry's greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. Eventually, these stories were written down and read aloud to an audience. Although the Epic of Gilgamesh was composed approximately fifteen hundred years prior to the Iliad, the heroes of both epics possess strikingly similar characteristics. Indeed, Gilgamesh and Achilles, as epic heroes, exemplify godlike qualities, great personal power, and fierce pride and loyalty.
Epic poems outline an ideal heroic male archetype; the female ideal found in epics is the antithesis of this male standard, and as a result, establishes the female as an “Other” group. Here, the “Other” can be defined as those who are different and considered less than the ideal. Humbaba and Polyphemus are blatant examples of “Other” in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey respectively; they contrast the ideal and as a result are antagonistic monsters. The female “Other” is less obvious; they are an “Other” group within the culture of the idealized people, because each of these epics is
Creation stories have profound effects on humans. Those associated with ancient cultures/civilizations aim to ensure the successful survival or well-being of themselves and that particular culture/civilization of their association, but not all are beneficial, prosperous, or fortunate. Mesopotamia’s “The Gilgamesh Epic”, Egypt’s “Hymn to the Nile-Documents”, and Mesoamerica’s Mayan and Aztec creation stories/religion are influential to establishing significant relationships within society, whether that is between humans and nature or humans and their “god(s).”
All stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies. They are known collectively as The Hero’s Journey. Understanding these elements and their use in modern writing is the object of our quest. Used wisely, these ancient tools of the storytellers craft still have tremendous power to heal our people and make the world a better place (xxvii).
Through studies such as comparative mythology, researchers and philosophers have discover hundreds of parallels between the myths that make up every culture, including their creation myths. As most are deeply rooted in religion, comparisons based on geographic area, themes, and similar story lines emerge as religions form and migrate. Campbell recognized these similarities an...
Myths recur across cultures and times because they are narrative and iconic manifestations of psychological archetypes which are themselves universal across times and cultures. An archetype is a universal symbolic pattern that is a motif, theme or character or image that repeats itself in many different cultures. It can be compared to a blueprint or a prototype that gets re-visited many different times. Some of the most popular examples are stories of great floods, initiation, creation, the underworld and motherhood. Archetypal characters and stories appear consistently in myths across many various cultures. Archetype myths explain the nature and creation of the world how life came about. Humans are very curious when it comes to the topic
Essentially, there are three typical characteristics of mythology. Classic myths often include gods or supernatural heroes, are “closely linked to religion,” and “generally take place in a primordial age, when the world had not yet achieved its current form” (“Mythology” Wikipedia). Furthermore, myths provide an explanation for the existence of life and how the world came to be.
Homer is credited for writing epics that generate source materials for the modern world. The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer are captivating stories with fascinating heroic characters. The Homer stories share with classical mythology typical recurrent motifs. The two Homer epic poems focus on the Trojan War, and its result. The epic poems contain the Greek mythology featuring the Greek gods, goddesses, mythological creatures, and the Greek heroes, and heroines. In addition, the principal motifs typical of classical mythological hero stories are; the dominance of fate, evil fighting against the gods, and death. In both the classic mythology, and he modern fiction hero stories, the heroes always have a helper in their expedition, but ultimately, they have to stand alone, face the darkness, and conquer it in order to become victorious.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.
Myths organize the way we perceive and understand our reality. Myths grant stability to a culture, and in this respect; serve to explain the unexplainable. From Barbra Sproul’s perspective, creation myths reveal basic religious concerns pertaining to how the universe was formed, and how people or societies are fashioned. Myths speak of the transcendent and unknowable aspects in a drama that attempt to reveal and give reason to human existence and where man stands in the cosmos. Through myth, the dimensions of space, nature and time are expressed in symbolisms that show how the holy can be experienced or conveyed if understood properly.
In conclusion, The Epic of Gilgamesh clearly fits into the literary genre of an epic because it fits the definition, contains an epic hero, the hero searches for immortality, gods are involved, and it delivers a timeless message. Because it is an epic, the story of Gilgamesh was written and told in poetic form, not prose. It is evident that the title of this work does fit because it is in fact an epic.