Myth And History
Myth and history seem to be totally opposite at first sight. Certainly they are both narratives, i.e. event arrangements into unified tales which can be told. But myth is a narration of origins which takes place at an early stage, in a time other than daily reality. History reflects recent events which have gradually spread to events that arise.
However, this initial definition calls for a number of qualifications which reveal a network of more complex relations instead of this strong opposition. Let us consider, first of all, that the story of the Gods in old Greece is our very model of myth. In addition, the Greek myths themselves show a shift from myth to reality, which covers the history of heroes and memories of people. They are better known as legendary narratives, which unfold in a moment that is between the times of the roots and latest occurrences. History will invade this iconic period and extend its reach to a farther and farther back.
Myth And History Myth history totally sight Certainly narratives event arrangements unified tales told But myth narration origins takes place early stage time daily reality History reflects events gradually spread events However initial definition calls number qualifications reveal network complex relations strong opposition Let story Gods Greece model myth addition Greek myths shift myth reality covers history heroes memories people They legendary narratives unfold moment times roots latest occurrences History invade iconic period extend reach glance myth history complete opposites narratives arrangements events unified stories recounted But myth narrative origins place primordial time time everyday reality history narrative events extending progressively include events situated human time This initial definition calls series qualifying remarks reveal network complex relations place stark opposition Let fact model myth stories gods ancient Greece Furthermore transition myth history Greek myths extend include history heroes histories ancestors These properly termed legendary narratives unfolding time lying time origins events History encroach legendary time extending grasp include distant intersection myth history brought light extension familiar contemporary anthropology notion myth types narrative extremely widespread contemporary archaic societies These narratives characterized anonymous determinant origin They received tradition accepted credible members group guarantee authenticity belief transmit History mark epistemological break mode transmission reception evolution involving intermediate stages source conflict myth history occasion complex forms transition compromise object myth temporarily designated narrative origins The concern origins extends history gods heroes ancestors The questions pertaining origins extend entities individual social life Thus myths reply types question How society exist What sense institution Why event rite exist Why forbidden What legitimizes authority Why human condition miserable suffer die Myth replies questions recounting began recounts creation appearance humans physical moral social condition With myth dealing type explanation maintain complex relation history This type explanation essentially consists myth foundational function myth recounts founding events Its tie subsequent conflict history result function hand myth exists founding event place history situated time history illo tempore borrow Mircea Eliade classic expression hand stake foundation relate time time form participation imitation decadence abandonment precisely relation time time myth essential factor constituting myth types founded include reality fragment reality ethical rule political institution existence man condition fallen innocent light phenomenology myth appears relation myth history situated levels limited narrow sense myth history kinds narrative Myth narrative origin worry frighten surprise History hand precise literary genre writing history historiography Taken strict sense history enter variety relations myth history origin myth relation The genetic point view blind viewpoints history place myth exist culture types narrative question relation myth historiography approached perspective classification kinds narratives produced society moment The genetic taxonomical perspectives allowed complement limit exclusive claims backdrop defined problem vaster arises meaning term history History literary product men suffer Many languages preserve meanings word history history story narrative events history events human beings Beyond question writing history question culture interprets historical mode existence number problems connection How instance stability change culture mores institutions perceived What attributed Does change meaning That change meaningful directed incoherent disorder chance meaninglessness And sense improvement form progress degeneration decadence sense history difficult The writing history essentially literary activity ways society accounts inevitably leads general question sense society ascribes historical development This interrelationship history literary activity history lived experience meaning question relation history myth Myth extent defined foundational role function ascribe positive negative history general extent understood mode human existence When dealing myth history level avoid temptation engage simplistic oppositions types civilizations employ genetic interpretations overly linear single society fact myths decadence myths progress epochs period This competition myths express uncertainty society experiences meaning undergoes Furthermore culture historiography intended provide partial explanations claim comprehensive broader question meaning history left legends myths result cultures differ fundamental myths striking similarities techniques goals historiography Myth And History ZodiacPage
