i am doing an essay on modern day perceptions of ancient mythological characters. do you see these myths as myths or as historical facts?
2006-10-01 11:19:53 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
prob myths based on some totally different truth that has been mixed up and eleaborated over the years
2006-10-01 11:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by surfergirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most myths and legends are very loosely based on past events. However, they are passed down through generations by word of mouth.
In a simple game of chinese whispers just by whispering in the ear of the person next to you a simple phrase and passing it on between say 6-8 people, it will become mixed up even completely different to the original saying. Try it with some class mates and you'll see.
When it comes to myths and legends there are whole generations of people to pass on a story - The old adage "Why let the truth interfere with a good story" most definately applies to many of histories myths.
Just for a very recent example - look at how Hollywood in 2000, rewrote the events of the capture of the first enigma machine. It was written as if the Americans captured a U-boat U571 and then discovered the first enigma machine on board. When in fact it was HMS Bulldog that captured the U-boat U110 and discovered the first enigma machine at a time when America was reluctant to be involved in WW2. This film came out only 59 years after the actual event, however a twist or spin was added so that it was more marketable to it's intended audience - America.
2006-10-01 12:14:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anchor Cranker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ancient mythological characters are myths or else they would called ancient REAL characters
2006-10-01 11:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by FLOYD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋