Classical Myths in the Arts

How to Write a Myth

Myth is "a traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.”

Introduction:

Imagine that you are a famous explorer who has just returned from some far corner of the universe-- a vast desert, a mighty mountain range, the uncharted expanses of the ocean, and so on. On your voyage, you came upon a previously undiscovered civilization! Now that you have returned from your journey, you must now present your discovery to the rest of the world. What was this fantastic civilization like? What myths and stories did they tell?

Task:

Imagine a civilization that has never been discovered by the rest of the world until now. Create a set of notes about this civilization and, most importantly, its myths that could be presented as evidence of your discovery.

Process:

Decide what kind of culture you have 'found'. You might want to consider:

-Where does this culture live?

-How is it that we've never discovered them before?

-How do they live their daily lives?

-How do they survive? Get their food? Water?

-What does this culture believe in? Who are their gods/goddesses? What are their myths?

Before Writing:

You’ll need to consider:

-Background info on how you found the culture and what they are like

-Information on AT LEAST five gods/goddesses worshiped by the culture

-A summary of the CREATION MYTH of the culture

-A summary of a MYTHIC HERO of the culture

-A summary of a MYTHIC MONSTER of the culture

-A summary of the HEROIC MYTH involving the hero and monster

-A summary of a NATURE MYTH of the culture

-A CONCLUSION explaining what you learned from the culture

Things you’ll need:

-Setting

-Hero

-Talisman

-Journey

Now to Write:

Create a setting. The setting of a myth story is typically a made-up one; think of "Star Wars" or "Lord of the Rings." Will your story be set on another universe or on Earth in the distant future? Another option is to set your story in the past, using knights and dragons and wizards.

Imagine a character. The main character can be male or female, but this character will be the hero of the myth story. Every myth story has a hero; Luke Skywalker, Oedipus and Bilbo Baggins are some examples. A hero is almost always an orphan being raised by a kindly relative or wizard. The hero is, of course, handsome/beautiful and young. They are poised on the edge of life between being a child and becoming an adult. The journey you set them on in your story will determine which way they fall (but they won't fall because they are the hero!).

Set your hero on a quest. All myth stories revolve around a journey. The hero will leave his home world and travel to another time or world or dimension in order to save the world. The hero does not usually know he is going to the save the world in the beginning. He simply is called to find something or find someone, or his world is destroyed and he must journey to find a new place to live. In the end of the story, the hero will return to his home world (if it is still there) to the adoration of all the townspeople.

Give your hero a talisman. A talisman is simply some sort of token that the hero carries with him. Sometimes he already has this talisman, or he may find it while on his journey. He has no idea of its power until much later. Think of the gold ring in "Lord of the Rings or "the force" in "Star Wars."

Surround your hero with lots of conflict. The driving force of any story is conflict, and the myth story especially is dependent on you moving the story forward one problem after another. Your characters will encounter difficulties at every turn. They will experience external conflict by battling dragons or aliens and being exposed to deadly weather conditions. Throw in internal conflict by having the hero fall in love with someone who doesn't even like him (again, think of Luke and Leah in "Star Wars").

Project-Based Learning I: Overview

Project Title: A Literary and Visual Investigation of Myth

Subject Areas: Classical Mythology, Literature, Visual Arts

Duration: 4 Weeks

Driving Question: What classical myth affects you greatly, and how can you retell it to reflect the beliefs and/or values of our society?

Project Summary:

1. You will present a written argument for the right to investigate a myth of historical significance in classical mythology.

2. You will address the myth’s significance for you personally, and several artistic artifacts growing out of your myth.

3. You will then create an original piece of art that best conveys the meaning of your chosen myth.

4. Sketch your characters (quickly), and say what their role in the story is.

5. The project culminates with you creating an original retelling of their myth to reflect and affect society in the current time period.

Project Activities:

· Google “classical mythology” to find the one story or myth that has the most emotional impact to you and to research it. (Tuesday, Jan. 27-in class)

· As you examine your myth, write about why the myth has such meaning to you. (Friday, Jan. 30-in class)

· After a brief written argument on the character(s) of your myth and its visual possibilities, sketch out an original rendering that best exemplifies and captures the meaning of the myth as it relates to you. (Tuesday, Feb.3-in class)

· Suggest a set of characters who might be involved in a contemporary retelling of the myth and write a brief summary of how your new characters relate to your understanding of the myth. (Friday, Feb. 6-in class)

· Share the myth of choice that will be the focus of your project. (Tuesday Feb. 10, in class)

· Friday 13^th is project workday. You are to work on inventing a retelling of your myth to reflect society in the current time.

Share your retelling of the myth to reflect society in the current time will be due Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Friday, Feb 20. This will be presented to class with visuals.

Project-Based Learning II: Overview

Project Title: Creative Mythology: A Contemporary Myth

Subject Areas: Creative Writing, Classical Mythology, Visual Arts and Design, Theater

Duration: Approximately 8 Weeks (Scheduled Sporadically Throughout Semester)

Driving Question: What’s the story?

Project Summary: Students write a script for a contemporary myth to be presented, theater style, to classmates. They will write a complex plot, act out roles, design costumes, props and setting backdrops, create promotional materials, and document the process.

Major Student Products:

Collaborative – Script Writing, Acting, Setting, Costume, Props and Promotional Material Designs, Creative Myth Presentation

How the Project Is Conceived and Planned: The project is conceived as a way to build on the creative strengths of our students, and to provide them with the opportunity to perform and work collaboratively. The intention of the project is to encourage students to involve the audience in the experience, and to understand the requirements of good storytelling. A creative contemporary myth will allow students to interact with their classmates and involve them in a journey of inquiry and investigation. Their presentation of the myth should be heavily focused and rooted in storytelling and creative design. The students will practice developing characters, plots, and themes that will be used as a platform to write a compelling script.

Entry Activity: We will begin this project in the latter part of February and the students will be given a series of exercises that will feed into the writing and producing of their Contemporary Myth.

Classical Myths in the Arts - Projects

Two Class Projects

How to Write a Myth

Jason and the Snake