Quick overview of the characteristics of myths and folktales, and the archetypes of origin myths

1. World Myths And Folktales

2. Early man was very similar to young children today…without answers to questions, they created their own “stories” in order to make sense of the wonders of the world they perceived.

5. Specific Characteristics of Myths

8. Specific Characteristics of Folktales

10. Legends: stories that arise from historical figures or events Tall tales may involve real people, but the details are grossly exaggerated for a humorous effect. Fables: stories featuring talking animals that teach a moral lesson

11. Folk wisdom includes cures, superstitions, and predictions. Fairy Tales are folk stories involving magic. Urban legends are stories that have arisen about everyday events in modern life.

13. Myths are a direct expression of a culture's religious beliefs. Folktales are a direct expression of a culture's values and behavioral expectations.

14. Origin Myths & Archetypes Stories of how events, actions, or objects came to exist, featuring common archetypes found universally in myths from around the world. Archetype : a pattern or model that serves as the basis for different but related versions of a character, plot, or theme.

16. Archetype Seen in: Fall from grace Adam and Eve Gilgamesh Jurassic Park Trickster the serpent Bugs Bunny Q Great Destruction the Flood Terminator II