Mythological Criticism

- emphasizes the recurrent universal patterns underlying most literary works.

Combining the insights from anthropology, psychology, history, and comparative
religion, mythological criticism explores the artists common humanity by tracing
how the individual imagination uses myths and symbols common to different
cultures and epochs.

Joseph Campbell

- (March 26, 1904 October 30, 1987) was an American mythologist, writer, and
lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative
religion. His work covers many aspects of the human experience.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

- Campbells Magnum Opus

- showed the similarities among the mythological traditions. Campbell followed
this with a series of writings on the great differences among the world myths.

Myth

- old stories handed down from one generation to the next to help people
experience or activate a special feeling or emotion instantly inside of us so we
are able to experience life in a more meaningful way. (Campbell)

- a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or

explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving
supernatural beings or events.

4 Functions of Myth

1. metaphysical function - reconciles consciousness to the preconditions of its own

existence. Myth induces a realization that behind the surface phenomenology of
the world, there is a transcendent mystery source. Through this vitalizing mystical
function, the universe becomes a holy picture.
2. cosmological dimension deals with the image of the world that is the focus of
science. This function shows the shape of the universe, but in such a way that the
mystery still comes through.
3. sociological function. Myth supports and validates the specific moral order of the
society out of which it arose. Particular life-customs of this social dimension, such
as ethical laws and social roles, evolve dramatically.
4. psychological. The myths show how to live a human lifetime under any
circumstances. It is this pedagogical function of mythology that carries the
individual through the various stages and crises of life, from childhood
dependency, to the responsibilities of maturity, to the reflection of old age, and
finally, to death. It helps people grasp the unfolding of life with integrity. It initiates
 individuals into the order of realities in their own psyches, guiding them toward
enrichment and realization.

THEMES AND PATTERNS *ETO UNG MGA THEMES FOUND OR APPLIED IN THE CRUCIBLE

Hysteria

- In ancient Greek times women were not viewed in the same way as men.
Women had very few rights. They were still under the control of men that held
political office, and participating in the city-state or polis was prohibited. One of
the possible reasons for this exclusion was due to their biology. Their constant
mood swings and erratic behavior, which was referred to as "hysteria", made
them incontinent and unable to make rational decisions.

Reputation

- Reputation is tremendously important in theocratic Salem, where public and

private moralities are one and the same. In an environment where reputation
plays such an important role, the fear of guilt by association becomes
particularly pernicious. Focused on maintaining public reputation, the townsfolk
of Salem must fear that the sins of their friends and associates will taint their
names.

HUBRIS

- Greek concept of reaching beyond ones grasp

- Excessive pride; arrogance

- Whenever a character exhibits hubris in Greek myths, s/he is usually quickly

punished or brought down

CRIME and PUNISHMENT

- characters are often doing things that are against the rules, or which anger the
gods/goddesses, for which they are usually swiftly punished
- this crime and punishment motif can often be very similar to the concept of
HUBRIS; in a gods opinion, trying to be more than human, extra-special, or god-
like, can be grounds for punishment
- this motif is also closely related to revenge---Hera, Zeus, Poseidon and others are
constantly seeking revenge on poor mortals for various wrongs, even though the
crime might seem very minor to us.
SHOWING PROPER RESPECT TO THE GODS

- mortals were expected to respect the god/desses by praying to them, building

temples and shrines to them, and offering sacrifices to them (usually by burning
the parts of an animal that people dont want to eat

- if a mortal did not show respect, s/he could expect to be punished

EXTRA***

There is one Greek myth that greatly influences this belief and the portrayal of
women in Ancient Greece. That myth is about the first woman Pandora. "In
ancient Greece, gynecology originated in the myth of the first woman Pandora,
whose beautiful appearance was seen to cover her dangerous insides. Pandora
represented to male humanity as beautiful, marriageable (Parthenos), threatens
the work of the healer because her outside is deceptive, concealing the fact
that her body contains a voracious womb- Jar and the mind of a bitch" (King,
40). Pandora's dangerous insides are her womb. In the Crucible, Abigail is
Pandora. In a way that she created the hysteria in Salem.. BLA BLABLA