Myths and legends

 

What is a myth? What is a legend? How are both these different to folktales? let’s have a look: –

 

A myth is a SACRED story from the past. It may explain the origin of the universe and of life, or it may express its culture’s moral values in human terms. Myths concern the powers (gods) who control the human world and the relationship between those powers (gods) and human beings. Although myths are religious in their origin and function, they may also be the earliest form of history, science, or philosophy…

(e.g. stories involving Roman and Greek gods)

 

A folktale is a story that, in its plot, is pure fiction and that has no particular location in either time or space. However, despite its elements of fantasy, a folktale is actually a symbolic way of presenting the different means by which human beings cope with the world in which they live. Folktales concern people — either royalty or common folk — or animals who speak and act like people…

(E.g. Little Red Riding Hood; Cinderella – what is the message behind the story?)

A legend is a story from the past about a subject that was, or is believed to have been, historical. Legends concern people, places, and events. Usually, the subject is a saint, a king, a hero, a famous person, or a war. A legend is always associated with a particular place and a particular time in history. You can say ‘it had a grain of truth’ in it.

(E.g. King Arthur; Robin Hood)

(http://www.pibburns.com/myth.htm)

 

Let’s look at some Myths and Legends. THIS SITE has many animated myths and legends you can watch and listen to. However, as you watch them, try to decide if they are indeed myths and legends. Are the stories categorized correctly?