7/27/2019 Mytho

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The term "mythology" can refer either to the study of myths or to a body or collection of 

myths.[1] For example, landscape mythology is the study of landscape features in terms

of totemistic mythology, whereas Hittite mythology is the body of myths of the Hittites. 

Alan Dundes defines myth as a sacred narrative which explains how the world and

humanity evolved into their present form, "a story that serves to define the fundamental

worldview of a culture by explaining aspects of the natural world and delineating the psychological and social practices and ideals of a society".[12] Many scholars in other 

fields use the term "myth" in somewhat different ways;[13][14][15] in a very broad sense,

the word can refer to any traditional story[3] or, in casual use, a  popular misconception 

or  imaginary entity.[16] Because the folkloristic meaning of "myth" is often confused

with this more pejorative usage, the original unambiguous term "mythos" may be a

 better word to distinguish the positive definition from the negative.[12] 

Closely related to myth are legend and folktale. Myths, legends, and folktales are

different types of traditional story.[17] Unlike mythos, folktales can be set in any time

and any place, and they are not considered true or sacred by the societies that tell

them.[5] Like mythos, legends are stories that are traditionally considered true, but areset in a more recent time, when the world was much as it is today.[5] Legends generally

feature humans as their main characters, whereas myths generally focus on superhuman

characters.[5] 

The distinction between myth, legend, and folktale is meant simply as a useful tool for 

grouping traditional stories.[18] In many cultures, it is hard to draw a sharp line between

myths and legends.[19] Instead of dividing their traditional stories into myths, legends,

and folktales, some cultures divide them into two categories, one that roughly

corresponds to folktales, and one that combines myths and legends.[20] Even myths and

folktales are not completely distinct. A story may be considered true (and therefore a

mythos) in one society, but considered fictional (and therefore a folktale) in another 

society.[21][22] In fact, when a myth loses its status as part of a religious system, it often

takes on traits more typical of folktales, with its formerly divine characters reinterpreted

as human heroes, giants, or fairies.[6] 

Myth, legend, and folktale are only a few of the categories of  traditional stories. Other 

categories include anecdotes and some kinds of   jokes.[18] Traditional stories, in turn, are

only one category within folklore, which also includes items such as gestures, costumes,

and music.[22]