¶ … Mythology
Foundations in Mythology
Myth is a word, and a concept, which actually has many meanings. They way we use it in contemporary society does differ dramatically to the more academic origin of the word. In popular culture and use, the term tends to represent some sort of legend, story, or fable. However, the way it is seen in an academic context is much different. The myth is still a story, but its purpose has dramatically changed when they are used by modern academics. From this perspective, a myth is a view into the ancient world. It is a way to extrapolate the meanings and symbols of a society which has long passed its prime. Here, the research suggests that "myths are symbolic tales of the distant past (often primordial times) that concern cosmogony and cosmology (the origin and nature of the universe), may be connected to belief systems or rituals, and may serve to direct social action and values" (Magoulick, 2012). Myths are the stories these ancient people generated to explain and illuminate the world around them. Academics today can thus use these myths to better understand the cultural components of a society they can not observe with their...
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