CLASSWORK: MYTH !

What is myth? And how does myth(ology) link to and relate with media texts?
The term "mythology" sometimes refers to the study of myths and sometimes refers to a body of myths...The term "myth" is often used colloquially to refer to a false story; however, the academic use of the term generally does not refer to truth or falsity. (Wikipedia)

Mythology is used in a plethora of media texts, we see it in film (take Disney's Hercules), in literature (such as Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings), TV (Charmed, Supernatural etc.), computer (as seen through games such as 'Age of Mythology' and even in music (example coming soon). What I find special about mythology is how broad the spectrum of it is; You have ancient stories, gods, goddesses, locations and creatures, and all of these can be placed into many narratives/mediums. The Underworld for example is well known in many films and known by many as the place of the dead, and although in different societies such as the Aztec culture who knew the Underworld as 'Mictlan'. But this convention, of a place for the dead, usually ruled by some powerful god becomes a 'Mythological Archetype' because of its use in the different mediums and conventions shared.

EXAMPLES OF MYTH:
Deities: Greeks (Ie. Athena, Zeus, Hera, Posiedon, Ares etc.) , Roman (Venus, Jupiter, Pluto etc.), Egyptian (Ra, Osiris, Isis, Bast, Horus etc.), Celtic (Rudianos, Vindonnis, Damona, Abnoba etc.) , Norse (Thor, Odin, Freyr, Loki etc.) ETC.

Figures: Hercules, Romulus, Remulus, Jason, Ajax ETC.

Tales: The Odyssey, Lliad, 'Myths of Origin', Jason and the Argonauts, Ragnarok ETC

Locations: Underworld, Atlantis, El Dorado, Hyperborea, Camelot, Avalon, Valhala ETC.

Creatures: Phoenix, Yeti, Unicorn, Dragon, Elves, Faeries, Hippocampus ETC.

The idea of Myth is a clever idea in film, because it gives you limitless possibilities with storylines and character; plot twists and even narrative. Although myth is commonly used in film with a 'fairytale' template, these ideas can be played upon, twisted even and completely altered from common tradition. This doesn't just apply to film; literature and theatre share the ideologies of Myth.