where do you suppose that myths come from, and what do you think the reality of the situation is?

Answer 1

As for the basis for myths, they usually start with some small bit of truth.

Before writing was invented in the Neolithic Period, all communication was done through oral speech. Narratives were passed down from generation to generation, and as time passed, the stories began to change, become falsely expressed and often completely exaggerated.

The basis for the word "mythology" comes from the Greek word 'mythos' meaning 'narratives' and 'logos' meaning oral. Put together "Oral Narratives."

As to the truth behind each myth, that would depend entirely on who's narrative it is based on, and what the actual event was.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

The most famous myths come from Greece but you can find myths anywhere. The reality was that people had no way of explaining natural phenomena. So the only way they could think of is through myths. They explain how the earth was created why does the seasons change why do bad things happen and they were passed on and low and behold that's how we hear about them now!!!!

Answer 3

Myths are stories handed down from one generation to another. In the old days, there were professional story-tellers; these later gave way to troubadours, and even later, the 5 o'clock news.

Contrary to popular belief, these stories did not change over time (like the children's game of 'telephone'). The stories followed a careful script that the storyteller was obliged to memorize well, or face the anger of his audience. Most people knew these stories by heart and loved to hear them recounted.

Although formal writing has been around for thousands of years, most of the earth's people have an oral story-telling tradition. In these traditions, stories are recounted *word for word*. Most of these stories, sometimes called creation myths, fairy tales, sagas, etc., were told as a way to pass the long winter nights or recount tales of battles and oral histories.

So from childhood, adulthood, and into old age, each story was told in the same way. But because the listener was in each case a little older when the story was heard, they would carry away with them a new meaning.

If you do your research, you will find that all ancient stories came from an oral tradition. It is spectulated that all myth has a basis in truth, but most are evidence to show man's effort to explain the mysteries of his world.

Answer 4

When you want to downplay a God or Goddess, you call the tales about them myths and if that doesn't work, you say they aren't Gods, but Demons. The Christians are very good at that. Tales like the Nativity of Jesus and Eden hold no more evidential, fact driven truths than the "myths" of other Gods and Goddesses.