Extra Credit Reading: Mythology Crash Course

Crash Course Myth: Monsters, Horses, Dragons

This was a really fun one to watch! The definition for monster, "to describe something or someone outside the bounds of acceptable form or behavior," means there are more monsters out there than we know. This definition can easily develop into many monsters depending on how a person perceived another's actions. I may think someone is a monster for littering because in my mind that is outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

Wendigo

Monsters are very important for mythological stories. Without them who would the heroes fight? Monsters make our stories more interesting and fun. I like the story of the Wendigo because it shows a human fear much like all monsters do. The Wendigo is a monster that originated in Canada. It lives in the forest and its favorite food is humans. This story came to be because in dreadful winters food was scarce and the people would often go hungry. Unfortunately this would result in cannibalism in the worst case. So in their mind the Wendigo was formed from a human's worst fear. Losing one's self and going against social norms and behaviors.

Pegasus

The many stories of horses came to be because they have been such a large part of human transportation for hundreds of years. People were dependent upon them in battle and getting far distances. Because of this it is easy to understand why people created so many stories of them being radiant, magical, and pure. There are many forms of horses and my favorite is Pegasus. I did not know until watching this video that Pegasus was born from the blood of Medusa's body. I think that makes Pegasus even more badass than before.

Chinese dragon

The story of the Chinese dragon was incredible. It came from five groups of animals all procreating with the monkey. I wonder why they chose the monkey? Maybe because it resided in the middle of the earth so it was easiest for all of the animals to gather there. I love how the dragon had a little bit of each animal. A lions head, serpent body, bird claws, pigs nose, and wings. The Chinese dragon is truly magnificent.

Comments

Comment Wall

Beowulf slaying Grendel Here is a link to my storybook website about Beowulf and his many thrilling adventures.

Week 9 Story: The Shark and the Seal

Bibliography: This story is originally written by A. L. Shelton as The Tiger and the Frog Seal escaping jaws of shark There was once a very old shark that was making its way to the reef to fill its stomach. The shark had not eaten in a couple of days and felt very weak indeed. As the shark was gliding through the sparkling blue waters a baby seal up ahead saw him and became very frightened. The seal quickly came up with a plan as the shark drew near. The shark was about to pass by when the seal squeaked, "what are you up to?" The shark slowly turned around and said, "I am in search for food. I have not eaten in two days and I feel very weak. You would be a good meal but you are very small." The seal made sure to puff out its chest when it said, "I am the king of seals. I am strong. To test this lets see who can make it across that trench the quickest." The shark accepted this trial and made to burst off across the the trench. Before the shark sped ...

Reading notes: Italian Popular Tales, Part A

Story source: Italian Popular Tales by Thomas Frederick Crane (1885). Damsel in distress All of these stories had a similar theme. I noticed that the number three was found in each introduction. Maybe three makes the most well-rounded story. These stories are also very black and white. If you do something, usually a man, thinks is wrong it is, "off with your head" or "send them to the dungeon to be hanged." There is no explanation, just death. And then a bargain is made so that person, usually a woman, can live. The punishment is always so much more harsh than the crime. The women in these stories are treated very poorly and are considered very little. There is not any discussion of how the characters feel, especially the women who are frequently the victims of a child stolen from a witch, a father wanted to murder them, a prince giving them no option on whether they will marry or not. And the woman just goes along with it. No argument at all. I think if...

Lindsi's Myth & Folklore

Search This Blog