9 Mythology Questions for further Discussion and Research

1. What do the myths and various artistic renderings of the myths highlight about human nature and the natural world? What role did myths play in helping humans cope with the events of life –birth, death, tragedy, natural phenomena such as lightning, rising and setting of the sun, the seasons, etc.?
2. Which myths did you find most interesting? Why? How was the myth depicted in art?
3. Create an artistic collage that “tells the story” of a myth you find interesting. You can also research different artists’ visual interpretation of the myth, folktale, or legend.
4. Find an interesting or favourite myths from one of the chapters (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Nordic, etc.)
5. Investigate the ancient origins of myths, folklore, and legends from an Indigenous culture.  Identify some of the similarities and differences between the different cultures. Create a poster with illustrations or symbols that reflect some of the similarities and differences.
6. Create your own Myth of Creation and illustrate it. You can find some ideas in the following link from The Kennedy Centre:
7. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/lessons-and-activities/lessons/6-8/writing-creation-myths/
8. What “human attributes” do the gods possess?  What supernatural abilities do they possess but dueto their human frailties fail in some way to use their power for benevolent or helpful ends?
9. Compare two gods/goddesses in terms of their role and function, relationship to humans, symbol often associated with them (e.g. Athena’s symbols are the owl and helmet), and a famous story connected with them.
10. Create a chart of familiar words that we use today that are associated and connected with myths. Isaac Asimov’s famous book Words from the Myths and the illustrated ” provide some examples of vocabularly drawn directly from ancient myths.
11. How do the ancient myths “reappear” in popular cultures through plays, films, and other texts?  To what extent are myths important to read and study today?

Metropolitan Museum Myth Links

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/videos/MetKids-Can-I-Learn-about-Greek-Mythology-at-the-Met

Sumerian Creation Myths

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/epic/hd_epic.htm

Egyptian Creation Myths

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian_creation_myths

Inuit Stories and Myths

https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/stories/020020-3100-e.html

Medusa

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/medu/hd_medu.htm

Theseus: Hero of Athens

https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/thes/hd_thes.htm

Source: Good Questions to Ask about Myths:

https://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/GoodQuestions.htm

1. Why do you suppose people worshipped this particular divinity? (What do you think they got out of this worship–psychologically, morally, religiously, as a society?
2. In what ways might this deity be connected with natural events such as storms, floods, drought, etc.?  To what extent have creation myths been used to  explain scientific phenomena? Do you think the stories about this deity explain natural events, and / or does this god embody some power of nature in some way?
3. What else might this myth explain besides natural events? In what ways is this explanation like or unlike a scientific explanation?
4. In what ways could this myth be seen as a charter (or basis for–a founding constitution) for various customs, institutions, or beliefs? If so, say what you think the myth is a charter for and why.
5. What power(s) does this deity possess? In what ways are these powers “supernatural” and beyond the realm of human powers?
6. What elements of ritual or magic can you find in the stories or descriptions of this god? What elements of the story involve sacrifice, initiation (“mysteries”), purification, and / or seasonal renewal?
7. Are there similarities between the myths and any stories or dreams that you are aware of? Are there any symbols, motifs, or archetypes that you are familiar with?
8. What can we learn about the social, cultural, psychological, and religious function of myths?
9. Which myths did you find most surprising, strange, or puzzling? How is the story similar to or different from your view of how the gods and humans should act?